Beijing's top 5 temple fairs during Spring Festival
Visiting temple fairs is an important custom of the Spring Festival and there are many to choose from in Beijing. From the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year, many places for shopping and entertainment will be closed for holidays, only the temple fairs will be open.
Ditan Park temple fair
Decorations at Ditan Park for the temple fair this year. /VCG Photo
Ditan Park opened up a unique intangible cultural heritage square at Spring Festival temple fair. The special imitation of the sacrifice ceremony performance starts at 10:00 a.m. and will run from the Chinese New Year's Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month. It will also hold a 24 solar terms exhibition and carry out two public welfare activities to help students from rural China.
Time: Feb. 5th - Feb. 9th, 2019
Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00
Location: Ditan Park, Andingmenwai Street, Dongcheng District
Longtan Park temple fair
Lion Dance performance in Lontan temple fair last year. /VCG Photo
Every year, thousands of tourists and locals mosey through this massive park, paying visits to the large collection of ancient temples. This year, Longtan Park temple fair is taking winter sports such as skiing and skating as their highlight. There is also plenty of local food and entertainment to keep you energized through all of that sightseeing.
Time: Feb. 5th - Feb. 9th, 2019
Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Location: Longtan Park, No. 8, Longtan Road, Dongcheng District
Taoranting Park temple fair
Taoranting Park gears up for temple fair. /VCG Photo
As the location moved from to Taoranting Park from Changdian Area, the previously-named Changdian temple fair has changed its name. It used to be the largest and most prestigious fair in Beijing with a history of 400 years.
Time: Feb. 5th - Feb. 10th, 2019
Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:00
Location: No. 19, Taiping Street, Xuanwu District
Chaoyang Park temple fair
Last year "Iron Man" taking selfies with visitors in Chaoyang Park temple fair. /VCG Photo
Unlike other temple fairs that highlight Chinese traditional culture, Chaoyang Park temple fairs focuses on international customs. The most distinguishing feature in Chaoyang Park is the richness of world-style performances. You can enjoy authentic, exotic performances from Britain, France, the Netherlands, Russia, and Greece, etc.
Time: Feb. 5th - Feb. 10th, 2019
Opening hours: 08:30 – 17:00
Location: No. 1, South Road of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
Beijing Enamel Factory temple fair
Cloisonne is an ancient technique for metalwork decoration using glasslike enamel, cut gemstones, glass and other materials. Cloisonne enamel has over 600 years of history in China and was only reserved for Chinese royalty. In this year's temple fair, cloisonne products once used by the emperor families will come to the homes of ordinary people.
Time: Feb. 6th - Feb. 19th, 2019
Location: 10 Anlelin Rd, Dongcheng Qu
Cloisonne pot. /VGC Photo.