Time For Temple: Chinese New Year's Fairs

One of the best parts about staying in Beijing over Chinese New Year is the chance to attend the temple fairs. Food stalls serve up goodies from chuanr to cotton candy, while carnival games let you shoot, throw or guess your way to a bundle of cuddly stuffed animals. This year, expect plenty of dragon paraphernalia as well. All you have to do is pick which ones to go to and work on your pitching arm in the meantime.

CHANGDIAN TEMPLE FAIR
Located at Taoranting Park, this remains Beijing’s biggest, most famous, most influential traditional temple fair. Changdian’s attractions include handmade craft displays and Peking Opera performances. RMB 10.
Time TBD (Jan 23-27). 19 Taiping Jie (near National Ballet of China), Xuanwu District. (6353 2385) 陶然亭公园, 宣武区太平街19号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at Taoranting station on Line 4.

CHAOYANG PARK TEMPLE FAIR
Now in its tenth year, this is traditionally designated as Beijing's “international” temple fair. Mingle with plenty of expats at ice sculptures and watch performances from international acts. RMB 10.
9.30am-5pm (Jan 23-28). 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6506 5409) 朝阳公园, 朝阳区农展馆南1号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at Tuanjiehu station on Line 10 and walk east.

SHIJINGSHAN TEMPLE FAIR
This year, expect a snow and ice carnival out west. Unlike other temple fairs around town, Shijingshan’s is full of foreign elements including continent-themed floats carrying performers. RMB 10.
9am-4pm (Jan 23-29). 25 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District (6886 2547) 石景山游乐园, 石景山区石景山25号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at Bajiaoyouleyuan station on Line 1.

YUANMINGYUAN ROYAL TEMPLE FAIR
In the Qing dynasty, the original Summer Palace numbered among the most bustling places in China during Spring Festival. The temple fair will showcase the Qing emperors’ customs, cuisine, leisure and academic activities, and more. RMB 10.
Time TBD. (Jan 23-29) 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6256 3659) 圆明园, 海淀区清华西28号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at Yuanmingyuan station on Line 4.

DAGUANYUAN TEMPLE FAIR
Puppet shows, shadow plays and other traditional performances take over parts Beijing Grand View Garden, the park modeled on scenes from Dream of the Red Chamber, the classic novel. RMB 40.
Time TBD (Jan 23-27) 12 Nancaiyuan Xijie, Xuanwu District (6354 4993) 大观园，宣武区南菜园12号

Getting there
Bus: Lines 19, 49, 59, 61, 122, 351, 410, 414, 716, 816, 819, 922 and 937. Get off at the Daguanyuan stop.

DITAN TEMPLE FAIR
Packed with festival crowds. Hundreds of food stalls line the park's angular lanes and a packed entertainment schedule keeps the masses craning their necks. RMB 10.
9am-5pm (Jan 22-29). Ditan Park, 2A Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6421 4657) www.dtpark.com 地坛公园，东城区安定门外大街甲2号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at either the Andingmen or Yonghegong stations on Line 2.

DONGYUE TEMPLE FAIR
Held within a Daoist temple, this fair boasts a huge number of food stalls, with cultural exhibitions and ethnic performances. RMB 10.
8.30am-4.30pm (Jan 22-28). 141 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151) 东岳庙，朝阳区朝阳门外大街141号

Getting there
Subway: Get off at Chaoyangmen station on Line 2 and walk about 600m east.

LONGTANHU TEMPLE FAIR
The offerings here are quite similar to those in Ditan Park, but it's not just snacking and silly hats; visitors are also invited to try their hand at arm-wrestling, rock climbing and chess. RMB 10.
9am-5pm (Jan 22-29) 1 kilometre east of the Temple of Heaven, inside Longtan Lake Park, Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District （67186358） 崇文区龙潭湖公园庙会

Getting there
Subway: Take Line 5 to Tiantandongmen

RED SNAIL TEMPLE FAIR (Hong Luo Si)
Aside from watching the temple's ceremonies of worship, fairgoers can enjoy folk activities such as scroll-writing, paper-cutting and lantern-riddle guessing. Huairou District is famous for its chestnuts, almonds and ginseng, so be sure to stock up on these seasonal local delicacies. RMB 40.
8am-5pm (Jan 23-28) Beijing Hongluo Si, Huairou District (6068 1175) 怀柔区红螺寺庙会

Getting there
Buses: 936 from Dongzhimen (weekdays), 6 and 16 (weekends)

Photos: ctpost.com, ecievents.net, gracechinatours.com