Chinese New Year: Burning incense to get New Year petitions heard

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After the celebrations on Chinese New Year's Eve, many people turn to the gods. One of the traditions on New Year's Day is to go to a temple to burn incense and pray. CGTN's Wang Hui visited one of the most famous temples in Beijing, the Yonghegong Lama Temple. Here's her report.

It's 5:30 in the morning. Despite the chilly weather, hundreds of people wait for hours outside the Yonghegong Lama Temple.

People believe burning incense and praying on the first day of the New Year will make their wishes more readily heard by the Buddhas. The first to burn incense at the temple gets the best chance.

WORSHIPPER "I got here at 12:30. I do believe that if you burn the first incense in the temple today, the Buddhas will help you realize your wishes."

Running to the temple means your wishes come true sooner. In no time, the temple is packed.

WANG HUI BEIJING "Worshippers are usually able to enter the hall to pray on their knees inside. But due to the safety concerns, they are now only allowed to get close to the hall, bow and pray outside."

Worshippers come from all walks of life. And for many of them, family is the most important. Wang Jie came here with his parents and younger brother.

WORSHIPPER "I wish all my family members a healthy and happy new year. More specifically, my wife is pregnant now. I hope she can give birth to our baby safely and without difficulty."

Coming here to pray has become a family tradition for some.

WORSHIPPER "It has become a habit. We've been coming here to pray since I got pregnant three years ago. At the time, I wished for a healthy baby. We've been coming every year since then. It's been three years. We want to continue."

WORSHIPPER "I've been coming here since we got married two years ago. It's become a tradition for our new small family. We hope Buddhas can give us a new little member to our family. We want to have a baby this year."

Everyone here is different, but they all come for the same reason: to pray that the Buddhas give them hope in the year to come. Wang Hui, CGTN, Beijing.