It is generally believed that January 1 is the start of a new year. This is not the case for some ethnic minority groups in China. For instance, Tibetans have their own calender and celebrate New Year on the 1st day of the twelfth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Other ethnic minority groups such as Miao and Dong ethnic minorities also celebrate their traditional new year on different days respectively.

Recently, people of these three ethnic minority groups have dressed up and organized various events to celebrate their traditional new year festivals.

Women make toast during a folk fair to celebrate traditional New Year festival of the Dong ethnic group in Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)