Members of a martial art school perform Dragon Dance, during the celebrations of the Chinese New Year, in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Jan. 30, 2016. [Xinhua/Martin Zabala]

"The main characteristic of the Spring Festival is the family gatherings," says Victor Tay Loo, a Peruvian of Chinese descent who maintains his ancestral traditions and customs, passed down to him by his Chinese parents.

"Work or study could have kept the family apart during the year, but for this day everyone returns to their parents' home and helps with the cleaning and buying and getting the food ready," Tay Loo said. "They all share dinner together at midnight, including large fish."

"We pay tribute to our ancestors and hand out red envelopes (with money) to the children and grandchildren. We also interact as a family - conversing and sharing past experiences, remembering anecdotes and making plans for the future," said Tay Loo.

Tay Loo's house, in the Gran Lima district, is decked with traditional and contemporary Chinese paintings and other objects of art.

"I lived in China for several years during my youth, and since then, I have been passionate about Chinese art. Even though it may seem strange, many of these pieces were acquired here in Peru," said Tay Loo.

One piece made of ivory depicts a monkey riding a horse, and Tay Loo explains that, "according to Chinese tradition, a monkey sitting atop a horse signifies that good things will come quickly."

Throughout history, China and Peru have had very active social and cultural exchanges.

At the start of the 17th century, Chinese, Japanese and Philippine laborers were brought to Peru aboard Spanish galleons to help in construction, including the building of Lima's Bridge of Stone, which connects the banks of the Rimac River.