Shanghai 3D light show greets new year

China's eastern metropolis of Shanghai welcomed 2013 with a modern light show staged on its historical buildings on Monday night.

Thousands of Shanghai residents and visitors gathered at the bank of the Huangpu River to witness the New Year countdown, which started at 11:40 p.m. with a chorus and a light show ten minutes later.

This year's show featured lights projecting a 3D movie onto the facade of the HSBC Building and Customs House, located in the Bund area, accompanied by aerial performers and a fireworks display.

The show, the second year of being staged in the city, was an essential part of Shanghai's New Year carnival, which the metropolis had planned to hold this year along with others in the world including New York, London and Paris.

Chinese people usually mark the New Year on the Gregorian calendar by watching TV galas, while major celebrations are reserved for the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which is usually in late January or February.