Temple Fairs Are Back for Chinese New Year

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Happy Chinese New Year!

After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, temple fairs (春节庙会 chūnjié miàohuì), an integral part of the Chinese New Year holiday, have been reopened in Beijing. Temple fairs were originally cancelled back in 2020 when the initial Covid outbreak hit China, and since then it's been a long three years for them to come back.

Some major temple fairs, like the one held at Ditan Park, will not be happening this year (the park will still be holding some cultural activities, more on that below), there are still a handful of ways to experience this quintessential part of Spring Festival in Beijing.

Badachu Temple Fair

Located just south of Xishan National Forest Park, Badachu Temple Fair is one of the most popular temple fairs among Beijingers. With these fairs, it's not just about sending prayers and blessings, but noshing on good grub as well, and the Badachu Temple Fair stands out for its imperial Chinese snacks on offer.

Date & Hours: Jan 23-Jan 27, 6am-5.30pm
Phone: [phone]
Address: 3 Badachu Lu, Shijingshan District 石景山区八大处路3号

Gubei Watertown Temple Fair

If you're looking for an authentic Chinese festival experience, look no further than Gubei Watertown Temple Fair.

While it's not a traditional part of Beijing (construction of Gubei Watertown is based off of Wuzhen Watertown in southern China), it's still a fun place to visit for a temple fair. Along with the quintessential canal town feel, it's also imbued with some northern Chinese elements as well.

Visitors can enjoy activities like learning about traditional alcohol distilling methods, participating in dye workshops, making handicrafts, and enjoying street foods like sweet potatoes. They can even catch a lion dance or two.

Dates & Hours: Jan 14-Feb 5, 9am-10.30pm
Phone: [phone]
Address: Jingcheng Expressway, 2km north of the Simatai Great Wall exit, Miyun District 密云区京承高速司马台长城出口向北2公里

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JEN Beijing Temple Fair

Temple fairs aren't just limited to the outskirts of the city, there's even one happening right in the heart of Guomao at JEN Beijing by Shangri-la.

Here you can sample some freshly made classic Beijing street snacks like fried meat skewers and candied hawthorn, or get your hands on some traditional Spring Festival art crafts like sugar figures and Chinese knot weaving. The best part? You even have the chance to meet the classic characters Brown and Cony from Line Friends, as they will be handing out envelopes to get you in the festive mood!

Dates & Hours: Jan 22-Jan 26, 10.30am-5pm
Phone: [phone]
Address: JEN Beijing by Shangri-la, 3/F Function Room, Bldg B, International Trade Phase III, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街一号国贸三期B座三层

Ice and Snow Temple Fair

For an unforgettable experienced filled with snow sculpture displays and winter carnivals, head to the Ice and Snow Temple Fair at the International Grape Exhibition Garden in Yanqing.

Visitors will be able to indulge in a variety of Yanqing snacks, including 火勺 huǒ sháo, a treat baked in a stove and has filling containing salt and pepper.

The recreational area covers a total of 50,000 square meters. Visitors can experience the thrill of driving bumper cars on the ice or hop in snow rafts to zip around the beautiful winter wonderland.

Dates & Hours: Jan 22-Feb 5, 8.40am-late
Phone: [phone]
Address: International Grape Exhibition Garden, 800 meters south of Xialufengying Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing District 延庆区张山营镇下芦凤营村村南800米

Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center Temple Fair

Located in Beijing's picturesque Huairou District, Yanqi Lake is best known for playing host to the APEC meeting in 2012. The lake and islands are set beneath the gorgeous Yan Mountains, and the hotel and buildings have truly made a quite spectacular view.

This will be the first temple fair ever held at Yanqi Lake International Convention Center, so it'll be a bit different than more traditional fairs. Visitors can watch a circus performance or even try go-karting here. Also, there will be stalls set up to sell traditional arts and crafts and many games to play.

Dates & Hours: Jan 22-Jan 28, 9am-8pm
Phone: [phone]
Address: Yanqi Lake International Convention& Exhibition Center, 16 Yanqi Lake Xilu, Huairou District 怀柔区雁栖湖西路16号

Ditan Park Spring Festival Activities

Unfortunately, a full-fledged temple fair is still not happening this year at Ditan Park. However, the good news is that while Ditan Park is not going to hold any proper temple fair this year, visitors can still expect to see some Spring Festival-related activities including exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage and smaller-scale performances.

Dates & Hours: Jan 22-Jan 26, 6am-8.30pm
Phone: [phone]
Address: Ditan Park, Anding Menwai Street, Dongcheng District 东城区安定门外大街

These are just a handful of Spring Festival activities happening around the city. To find more, and to seek out more temple fairs, you can follow this WeChat link here (in Chinese) from 北京本地宝. You can also search it on Beijing Bendibao as well.

Simply go to the official account and type in 春节庙会 at the bottom. Once you receive a message prompt, click the first link and you'll be taken to a full list of temple fairs and other activities.

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Images: Wikicommons, Uni You, Dianping

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