The ancient Hanshan Temple in Suzhou is home to one of Chinas oldest and largest New Years festivals. In traditional Chinese culture, the stroke of midnight is celebrated by ringing the great bells of Buddhist temples.

According to Buddhist legend, each layman has 108 kinds of annoyance per year, and each bell tolling can help people dispel a kind of annoyance. One who listens to 108 bell tolls on the New Year Eve will have good luck and happiness in the coming year. On December 31st every year, thousands of tourists gather inside and outside the temple to listen to 108 bell tolls at the same time, praying for good luck and happiness in the coming year. At Hanshan Temple an array of activities and performances have been arranged around the ringing to make it a fascinating and entertaining way to ring in the New Year!