Incense and candles are burned in Chenghuang Temple to receive Caishen in Shanghai Jan. 27, 2012. Photo: China.org.cn

In Shanghai, locals seeking prosperity in the new year flock to Chenghuang Temple to pray to the Fortune God. The temple also called the City God Temple, is one of the city's key historical sites.

During the activity, incense and candles are burned, and friends joyously exchange the traditional New Year greeting "May you become rich" ("Gongxi facai"). People set off firecrackers outdoors; the number of bursts exceeds even that of dawn of the first day of the lunar calendar year.

The Fortune God, also called Cai Shen, in Chinese religion, is widely believed to bestow riches on his loyal devotees.