Chinese New Year Ⅳ

Temple fair is one of the most important celebration activities during the Spring Festival. This traditional cultural event integrates religious worship and entertainment, and features almost all kinds of Chinese folk art. Temple fairs in Beijing have a long history, and the origin can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty (907 – 1125). The fairs are held at various ancient temples regularly or during festivals, so they are called "temple fairs". For foreigners, visiting a temple fair is definitely a cultural experience. You may enjoy the reenactment of the ceremony of worship to Earth and Heaven. Folk performances like dragon and lion dances, demonstration of traditional arts and crafts, and fun games are all part and parcel of temple fairs. You can also taste numerous Beijing snacks, court dishes and delicacies.

Ditan Temple Fair

Location: Ditan (Temple of the Earth) Park, East Avenue, Anding Gate, Dongcheng District.

Highlight: Reenactment of worshipping ceremonies of the Qing Dynasty (1636 – 1911) to the God of Earth.

Details: Ditan Temple Fair is one of the most popular and long-standing fairs in Beijing. About one million people visit it each year during the Spring Festival. Besides the ceremonies, there are a wide range of folk performances and activities, such as puppet shows, traditional art exhibitions, dragon and lion dances, and acrobatic shows.

Longtan Temple Fair

Location: Longtan Park, 8 Longtan Rd. Chongwen District.

Highlight: Various interactive competitions which invite visitors' participation.

Details: Longtan Temple Fair is also one of the most popular o ones of its kind in Beijing. The activities here are very similar to those in Ditan Temple Fair. Various interactive games and competitions invite you to join in, such as table tennis, diabolo (Chinese Yoyo) spinning and arm wrestling. Folk performances and local snacks also abound at the fair.

Dongyue Temple Fair

Location: Dongyue Temple, 141 Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang District.

Highlight: Exhibition of "Fu (Good Fortune)" culture.

Details: Dongyue Temple Fair had started as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1206 – 1368). The culture of "Fu" has been the essence of this fair. Many activities are centered on the "Fu" culture. Visitors can pray for food fortune at the altar, walk on the "Fu" road, or hang a "Fu" card to invite Fu" for the coming year. Colorful folk performances, artwork displays, and snacks are also available.