BEIJING - Nearly 200,000 local residents and tourists visited parks in Beijing on Monday as a series of celebrations were hosted to mark the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year, the city's park administration said.

Festive activities kicked off at Beijing's famous parks, including the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beihai Park, on Monday to welcome the Year of the Dragon, said Chen Zhiqiang, spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks.

Tourists visit the Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven) in Beijing, Jan 23, 2012. Nearly 200,000 local residents and tourists visited parks in Beijing on Monday as a series of celebrations were hosted to mark the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year, the city's park administration said.

Tourists visit the Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven) in Beijing Jan 23, 2012.