Beijing Temple Fair Tours

In Beijing, One essential element of Spring Festival is the traditional Temple Fair (Miao Hui, 庙会).

Temple fairs used to be an event of worship, in which people might pray for happiness, peace and luck. The modern temple fair has a wider variety of activities like worship, commercial trade, and recreation.

Generally, these festive jubilees set up in parks and temples around the city and commonly feature song and dance performances, display of traditional arts and artisans, markets selling all manner of baubles and crafts, fairground-style fames stalls, and all the food you can stuff yourself with.

For foreigners, temple fair in Beijing is definitely a cultural experience, because it shows Chinese culture from a very detailed perspective.

Beijing’s temple fairs are colorful, noisy and fun – perfect for a day out with family or friends.

The temple fairs in Beijing are generally celebrated on the first day of Chinese lunar January, and they will be held on February 3, 2011, when the Chinese new year festivel celebrates.

Where to Enjoy Traditional Temple Fairs in Beijing

1.White Cloud Temple Fair (Baiyunguan Temple Fair)

The White Cloud Temple Fair is a buzz of colorful, traditional folk art performances and a very worthwhile Taoist culture exhibition. Sample from a bewildering array of freshly-cooked snacks with typical local flavors.

Location: Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District
Transportation: Take bus routes 320, 414 to White Cloud Station or 114, 308, 937 to Baiyunlu.

2. Changdian Temple Fair

If you wish to visit to Beijing’s oldest temple fair, then Changdian should be your first port of call. Boasting the oldest history of any of the city’s many fairs, tradition is its middle name!

Location: Nanxinhua Jie, Liulichang, Xuanwu District
Transport: Bus 7, 14, 15 to Liulichang

3. Ditan Temple Fair

Enjoy the swirl of vibrant folk performances and fashion shows exhibited at Ditan Temple Fair in Chaoyang District. Their food street is also an eye-pleasing, stomach-rumbling sight to behold!

Location: 100 meters north of the Lama Temple of Lama Subway Station
Transportation: Yonghegong subway, bus 13, 16, 62 for the south gate’ trolley bus 104, 108 or bus 27, 358, 119, 407 for the west gate. Also Andingmen Subway.

4. Chaoyang Park Temple Fair

This is traditionally designated as the “international” temple fair, and this year’s continues in that tradition with a twist.

Location: 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District.
Transportation: Get off at Tuanjiehu station on Subway Line 10 and walk east.

5. Olympic Park Temple Fair

Instead of merely devouring snacks and watching ethnic performances as at a traditional temple fair, here you can practice yoga, try boxing or rock climbing under the instruction of coaches, or watch an auto-stunt show. This innovative sports-themed program was designed by the Chinese National Olympic Center, to remind people that athletic activities are just as great as sumptuous festival food, and great in tandem.

Charge: Free.
Time: Feb 13-19
Location: Olympic Park, Beichen Lu, Chaoyang District.
Subway: Get off at Olympic Green on Line 8.

6. 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.