Chilly start for Year of Tiger

Firecrackers echoed through the streets of Shanghai as people braved the rain and cold to line up outside temples to usher in the Year of the Tiger.

A cold front swept over China at the start of the Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, threatening to cause chaos as millions travelled to be with their families.

Despite the rain and near-freezing temperatures, the queue to enter Jing'An Temple, one of Shanghai's oldest Buddhist temples, stretched around the block as people inside burned incense to bring wealth, health and happiness in the new year.

Millions in South Korea will also travel to pay their respects to ancestors.