Chinese New Year: London's Chinatown prepares for Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year: London's Chinatown prepares for year of the rabbit.

01 February 2011 • 5:26pm

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese lanterns are strung in front of a Chinese arch on Gerrard Street — Chinese New Year 2011 falls on the 3rd of February, and on Sunday 6th thousands of people will descend on London's West End to wish each other "Kung Hei Fat Choi" (or Happy New Year). London will celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit with a series of spectacular celebrations. Pictured: Lanterns are strung in front of an arch on Gerrard Street, Chinatown Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A large Chinese dragon adorns the wall of a building

A large Chinese dragon adorns a wall in Wardour Street Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Colourful drawings of rabbits are displayed in the window of a restaurant — Colourful drawings of rabbits are displayed in the window of a restaurant Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A rabbit shaped cake is displayed in the window of a bakery — A rabbit shaped cake is displayed in the window of a bakery Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Ceramic rabbits are placed on sale in a Chinese gift shop — Ceramic rabbits are placed on sale in a Chinese gift shop Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Cuddly toy rabbits are displayed in a gift shop — Cuddly toy rabbits are displayed in a gift shop Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Toy paper Chinese dragons on sale — Toy paper Chinese dragons on sale Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A woman tries out an outfit from a gift shop — A woman tries out an outfit from a gift shop Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A busy Chinese gift shop — A busy Chinese gift shop Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A rickshaw driver waits for customers on Gerrard Street — A rickshaw driver waits for customers on Gerrard Street Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinese lanterns are strung across a street in Chinatown — Chinese lanterns are strung across a street in Chinatown Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Chinatown in London prepares for the Chinese New Year celebrations. A man mops the floor in a Chinese supermarket — A man mops the floor in a Chinese supermarket Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images