Chinese shares started the first trading day lower on Wednesday after the week-long Spring Festival holiday.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened at 4,525.03 points, down 74.67 points, or 1.6 percent from the previous trading day.

The major indicator fell 1.55 percent to end at 4,599.7 on February 5, the last trading day before the Chinese Lunar New Year which fell on February 7 this year.

The smaller Shenzhen Component Index also opened lower at 16,663.90, down 195.74 points, or 1.16 percent.