Millions of Muslims across China celebrated their annual Corban Festival Tuesday.

Mosques in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, two major Muslim communities, were packed with people chanting and singing religious sutras.

A Muslim man shops for food at a market in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Dec. 8, 2008. [Xinhua]

"I'm praying for a more beautiful life in the coming year," said Tawargul, a middle-aged Uygur woman who was among tens of thousands of Muslims gathered at the Id Kah Mosque in Xinjiang's Kashi City.

"I've already prepared plenty of food for the festival: mutton, cakes, pears and apples," she said.

After the religious rite was completed, Tawargul went home to entertain relatives and friends.

Bazaars, in the Xinjiang regional capital Urumqi, were also crowded with Muslims selecting foods and costumes.