Do you want to experience the most traditional Chinese Spring Festival when you travel to Beijing? In China, the most important holiday is the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival. During the period of festival, most of people go back to their hometown and spends several days with family and friends. They also hold many celebrations and activities. Temple Fair is a traditional custom of Chinese culture which is held every year. So far, there have been more than 10 major temple fairs held each year in Beijing. Although different places hold their Temple Fair at different dates, the contents are similar. So, going to the Temple Fairs is your best choice to know Chinese culture in your China Tours. For foreigners or visitors who don’t know Chinese culture well, Temple Fair is a real cultural experience, because it shows Chinese culture from different aspects.
Beijing has several fairs in various ancient temples during Chinese New Year. So people call these celebrations “Temple Fairs.” It originated along with the development of Buddhist and Taoist activities. Visitors, including city folk and peasants from countryside, can do religious worship, entertainment. The fairs always have lots of games, food, performances, showing a bustling atmosphere. Farmers and merchants sell their farm products, local specialties, and antiques, jade articles, flowers, birds and fish; craftsmen set up their stalls to show and sell their handicrafts and specialty snacks; folk artists establish a stage for singing, dance, and other performances. Most Temple Fairs perform dragon and lion dances, waist drum dancing, lotus blossom fairy dances, ground and clam dancing as well as other folk performances. In rural areas, the Temple Fair is also a popular and important traditional activity.
The following are the popular temples for Temple Fairs in Beijing:
Ditan Park Fair:
Ditan Park Fair is one of the busiest temple fairs in Beijing. It has an altar where sacrifices were formerly offered to the earth god. Activities and events during the fair will include folk performances, fashion shows and a food street.
Location: 100 meters north of the Lama Temple or Lama Temple Subway Station.
To get there: Yonghegong (Lama Temple) subway, bus 13, I 16, 62 for the south gate; trolley bus 104, 108, or bus 27, 358, 119, 407, 328, 803 or 912 for west gate. Also Andingmen subway.
Admission: 6 yuan (72 US cents).
Baiyunguan Temple Fair:
This is the grandest temple fair of west downtown. Baiyunguan is a Taoist temple that is more than 1,000 years old. This is the only fair which is really held in a temple.
Location: Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District.
To get there: Take bus routes 320, 414 to Baiyunguan Station or 114, 308, 937 to Baiyunlu.
Admission: 6 yuan (72 US cents)
Changdian Temple Fair:
The Changdian Temple Fair is often a favorite outing for Beijing residents during the Chinese New Year. It is particularly held to draw people to buy and sell paintings and calligraphic works, antiques, articles for daily use, children’s toys, food products and seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Location: Liulichang Jie, Xuanwu District.
Admission: Free.
Shijingshan Amusement Park
This will be a foreign-style temple fair. It is almost like a foreign carnival parade. Visitors can get to its south gate by taking the subway to Bajiao Youleyuan.
The park is 100 meters west of the subway station.
Admission: 5 yuan (60 US cents).
If you want to know more traditional culture about China, please book your China Flights before Chinese New Year Festival and experience the Temple Fairs in Beijing.
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