Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Beijing’s Temple Fairs

 

Though Beijing may seem to clear out during the Chinese New Year, those staying in town don’t need to worry about being bored. Temple fairs (or miaohui) are traditional Chinese New Year celebrations that are vibrant, busy, and fun. Temple fairs, held in temples or parks, have crafts like paper cutting and scroll writing, traditional performances, lots of tasty snacks, and of course, lots of toys and tchotchkes for sale. They are also very popular, so be forewarned that there will be a lot of people milling about, but it’s all part of the atmosphere and fun. Here’s the rundown of this year’s temple fairs.

 

Feb 9-14

Changdian Temple Fair
Lion dances and drums are some of the draws for one of the city’s most popular (and crowded!) temple fairs.
RMB 10. 9am-4.30pm. Changdian Temple Fair, Taoranting Park, 19 Taiping Jie, Xuanwu District (6358 8801) 厂甸庙会，宣武区太平街19号陶然亭公园

 

Feb 10-15

Chaoyang Park Temple Fair
With artists from the UK, Russia, France and more, the Chaoyang Park Temple fair is generally considered the “international” temple fair. The artists will feature in a parade that marches every day of the festival at 11am.
RMB 10. Chaoyang Park, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6506 5409) 朝阳公园，朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号

 

Feb 10-14

Daguanyuan Temple Fair
Beijing Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan) completely transforms for its temple fair. With costume parades, acrobatics, cultural and ethnic performances, and lots of drummers, it’s a temple fair invasion.
RMB 40 (at the door), RMB 30 (presale). 10am-5pm. 12 Nancaiyuan Xijie, Xuanwu District (6354 4993) 大观园庙会，宣武区南菜园西街12号大观园

 

Feb 10-16

Ditan Park Temple Fair
Ditan Park is an altar where sacrifices were made to the earth god, so its historical setting adds an interesting layer to the annual Ditan Park Temple Fair. You can use your IC card as an entrance ticket, but this one gets crowded too, what with the performances, shopping, and eating to be had.
RMB 10. 9am-5pm. Ditan Park, Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6421 4657) 地坛公园庙会，东城区安定门外大街

 

Feb 10-15

Dongyue Temple Fair
Get a taste for the Taoist at this very traditional temple. This temple fair is one of the most kid-friendly, with folk crafts, puppet shows, lion dancing, toys, and more. The fair also features food, ethnic performances, and cultural exhibitions.

RMB 10 (at the door), RMB 8 (presale). 8.30am-4.30pm. 141 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151) 东岳庙庙会，朝阳区朝阳门外大街141号

 

Feb 9-16

Longtan Hu Temple Fair
Another popular fair, Longtan Hu adds to the traditional events like those at Ditan Park, and adds a competitive edge. Attendees can join in arm-wrestling, rock climbing, and even chess matches.
RMB 10. 9am-4pm. Longtan Hu Park,  Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District (6718 6358) 龙潭湖庙会，崇文区左安门内大街龙潭湖公园

 

Feb 10-16

Shijing Shan Temple Fair
Shijingshan is considered the “exotic” and “foreign” temple fair, as it strays from tradition by heightening every sense with untraditional sensations. Perhaps for this reason, it seems to attract higher numbers of foreigners. Decide how exotic it is by going to Shijingshan and a traditional temple fair and compare notes.
RMB 10. 9am-4.30pm. 25 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District (6886 2547) 石景山游乐园庙会，石景山区石景山路25号

 

Feb 10-16

Yuanmingyuan Royal Temple Fair
This old summer palace used to be a luxurious architectural Versailles of the East, and was a bustling hub during the Spring Festivals of the Qing Dynasty. Given its “shameful” history as the location of foreign burnings and pillaging, some are still divided as to whether it should now host temple fairs or whether it should be a reminder of such a shameful, weak period. Whatever you think, there will be showcases of the Qing Dynasty’s cuisine, academics, customs and more.
RMB 10. 8.30am-5pm. 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6256 3659) 圆明园庙会, 海淀区清华西28号圆明园