Beijing, China - Jan 27, 2017
1. Various of performers in colorful costumes singing, dancing on stage
2. Audience applauding
3. Various of hosts, hostesses greeting audience, audience applauding
4. Performers in rooster costumes singing

Shanghai, east China - Jan 27, 2017
++ NIGHT SHOTS ++
5. Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower, performers, host, hostess at sub-venue
6. Various of cityscape
7. Host, hostess introducing guests
8. Various of guests on stage, including Yao Ming

Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, southwest China - Jan 27, 2017
++ NIGHT SHOTS ++
9. Fireworks, illuminated sub-venue
10. Various of host, hostess greeting audience
11. Various of singing, dancing performances, fireworks

Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south China - Jan 27, 2017
++ NIGHT SHOTS ++
12. Host, hostess greeting audience
13. Various of singing, dancing performances on water

Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China - Jan 27, 2017
++ NIGHT SHOTS ++
14. Host, hostess greeting audience
15. Various of aerial shots of illuminated Harbin Ice-Snow World theme park
16. Fireworks display
17. Various of children, performers in cartoon cosplay dancing

The 2017 China Central Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala, or Chunwan, began at 20:00 (Beijing time) Friday on the Lunar New Year's Eve.

The gala variety show is to last four and a half hours with more than 40 numbers of shows, including over half in dancing and singing and nine in linguals like cross-talks and comedies. The remainders will be acrobatics and magic shows alongside traditional Chinese operas of various schools.

The gala has opened with a song by fashionable Chinese teenage band "TFboys" and five actresses from a popular TV series "Ode to Joy". Their lyrics are praises about the festive atmosphere of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Apart from the central stage at the CCTV headquarters in Beijing, there're also four telecast sub-venues in Shanghai, Xichang, Guilin and Harbin representing the east, west, south and north of the country respectively. They provide live feeds to form the super-long gala show.

This Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Rooster. In Western astrology, there are 12 astrological signs; and in Chinese astrology, there are 12 zodiac animals. They are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Since 1983, the Spring Festival Gala has become the annual fixture for Chinese families on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

It remains the longest-running and most-watched show in Chinese television history. It's also the most talked about event on social platforms, confirming its central place in the Lunar New Year celebrations.