Singaporean Chinese gathered in Chinatown to buy festive goods on Monday, one week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

The narrow streets of Chinatown were transformed into festive marketplaces with long stretches of canvas-roofed tents side-by-side, sheltering makeshift stalls selling food and festive wares.

The main avenue was adorned with special lights and festive decorations.

Crowds flocked to the stores to stock up on the best deals, as it is customary to mark the occasion by serving sweets and snacks to visiting guests.

Family and friends usually visit each other in a tradition known as 'Bai Nian' throughout the fifteen days of the New Year celebrations.

For many Chinese, the New Year is a time to renew ties and hope for prosperity in the coming year.

This year marks the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese zodiac.

With an economic recession marking most of 2009, many hope the Year of the Tiger will bring greater luck.

[Sylvia, Singapore Resident]:
"What does the Year of the Tiger mean to me? I am an Ox, my luck was not good last year as I offended one of the spirits. So I hope my luck will improve this year and my career will be 'good'. That is it. Of course, I also wish for the safety of my family."

[Zhang Xiaopei, Singapore Resident]:
"I wish for peace and security for our country and people, for everybody to get a raise in the New Year, and seasonable weather throughout the year."

Celebrated by millions of Chinese all over the world, the actual date for the New Year is determined by the lunar calendar. The New Year's Day is on this Sunday this year.