A 200-meter-long dragon lantern glowed at night amid Beijing's first snowfall of the Year of the Dragon. Snaking through the shopping area of Shichahai, the dragon cast its bright light onto the surface of the inner-city lakes. Despite the low temperatures brought by a recent cold spell in the Chinese capital, residents stepped out in warm clothing to enjoy the sight of snow, the hustle and bustle of the pedestrian area and the cheer of the Year of the Dragon.