Temple Fairs (Part 3)

The people participate in various kinds of folk activities at the temple fair, such as yangge dance, walking on stilts, riding a land boat (a model boat used as a stage prop in some folk dance), performing Lion Dance, and beating gongs and drums. In their traditional Chinese costumes, the people enjoy themselves to their hearts content, like a Chinese carnival.

Temple Fairs (Part 2)

The temple fair in Beijing is a traditional public gathering for the New Year celebration, integrating foods, drinks and performances. The temple fairs originated from the areas near the temple, hence the name. Most of the temple fairs in Beijing are organized around the Spring Festival, and attract numerous visitors with various kinds of folk artistic performances, local snacks and folk arts and crafts.

Temple Fairs (Part 1)

The temple fair mainly displays Beijing's local customs. The Spring Festival temple fairs in Beijing are always bustling with peddlers from all over the city selling a variety of snacks, goods, toys and candies, in addition to theatrical performances. An old saying goes:"At the temple fair, girls want flowers, boys prefer firecrackers, old ladies like cotton padded shoes, and old men want new felt hats". The temple fair is jam packed with people coming and going all the time, full of the jubilant festival atmosphere.

Temple Fairs!

As a type of Chinese fairs, temple fairs are closely related to the religious activities held in temples. Fairs are usually held at festivals or on specified days in or near a temple, hence the name. Now most temple fairs in Beijing are organized around the Spring Festival, with eating, drinking and enjoying as the main contents, to add festive atmosphere to the Chinese lunar New Year.