The "temple
fair" (Miao Hui) began as groups of vendors who did business near temples when
many pilgrims came to pay tribute to the gods during traditional festivals. The
practice grew, gradually turning into a regular event. Now temple fairs are an
important and joyful destination for Chinese people during festivals, most
especially the Spring
Festival, or Chinese New Year.
The temple fairs in Beijing
date back to around 1000 AD, when they were called "Spring Outings", steadily
booming throughout the following three dynasties of the Yuan, Ming and Qing
emperors. Nowadays, going to temple fairs has become a Spring Festival routine
for residents in Beijing. This year, nine local temple fairs will add more joy
to your holidays.
Ditan Park Fair
One of the city's busiest temple fairs since 1985. Ditan Park is the site of
the altar
where sacrifices were formerly offered to the earth god. This year's fair will
climax with a performance reenactment of a Qing
Dynasty sacrificial ceremony.
Location: 100 meters north of the Lama Temple or Lama Temple Subway
Station.
To get there: Yonghegong (Lama Temple) subway, bus 13, 116 and 62
for the south gate; trolley bus 104, 108, or bus 27, 358, 119, 407, 328, 803 or
912 for the west gate. Also accessible from Andingmen subway station.
Fair
time: January 28th to February 4th.
Admission: 8 yuan (about 1 USD).
Baiyunguan Temple Fair
This is the grandest temple fair of west downtown. Baiyunguan is a Taoist
temple that is more than 1,000 years old and now hosts the only fair actually
held within a temple.
Location: Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District.
To get there: Take bus routes
320 or 414 to Baiyunguan Station or 114, 308 or 937 to Baiyunlu.
Fair time:
January 29th to February 3rd.
Admission: 10 yuan (about 1.25 USD)
