As the Chinese Lunar New Year draws near, the Linyi Small-Commodity Market in East China's Shandong province is gearing up for the Spring Festival sales season, when local residents and retailers from all over the country come to buy holiday decorations such as red lanterns, Chinese knots, and couplets.

Linyi is the largest distribution center for small commodities in North China.

Customers browse Spring Festival decorations at the Linyi Small-Commodity market on Jan 4 in Linyi, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Ziheng/Xinhua]

A vendor sells festive lanterns at the Linyi Small-Commodity Market on Jan 4. [Photo by Li Ziheng/Xinhua]

Chinese New Year decorations give the Linyi Small-Commodity Market a festive atmosphere. [Photo by Li Ziheng/Xinhua]

As the Chinese New Year approaches, sales of Spring Festival decorations are up at the Linyi Small-Commodity Market. [Photo by Li Ziheng/Xinhua]

A sea of red floods the Linyi Small-Commodity Market as the Chinese Lunar New Year draws near. [Photo by Li Ziheng/Xinhua]