Snake Celebrations: Beijing’s 2013 Temple Fairs

If you've ever stayed in Beijing during the Spring Festival holiday, you know that it can be pretty nice. The streets are empty and there are a dozen of temple fairs to choose from. For carnival games, head to Ditan; for a blast from the Qing past, check out the Summer Palace street fair; to keep things more multinational, Chaoyang Park is the answer. Read on for a guide to this year's temple fairs, along with the nearest subway lines that will get you there and recommendations of nearby restaurants where you can a bite.

CHANGDIAN TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 9-14
Located at Taoranting Park, this remains Beijing’s biggest, most famous and most influential traditional temple fair. Changdian’s attractions include handmade craft displays and Peking Opera performances. RMB 10.
9am-4pm. 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

Subway: Take Line 4 to Taoranting station and walk east
Have lunch at: Huguang Huiguan

CHAOYANG PARK TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-15
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.
Time TBD. 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6506 5409) 朝阳公园, 朝阳区农展馆南1号

Subway: Take Line 10 to Tuanjiehu station or Line 6 to Jintailu station
Have lunch at: Xiangmanlou

SHIJINGSHAN TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-16
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. 25 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District (6886 2547) 石景山游乐园, 石景山区石景山25号

Subway: Take Line 1 to Bajiao Youleyuan station.
Have lunch at: Petite Lea

YUANMINGYUAN ROYAL TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-16
In the Qing dynasty, the original Summer Palace was 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. 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6256 3659) 圆明园, 海淀区清华西28号

Subway: Take Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park station
Have lunch at: Anhui Private Kitchen

DAGUANYUAN TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-14
Puppet shows, shadow plays and other traditional performances take over parts of Beijing Grand View Garden, the park modeled on scenes from Dream of the Red Chamber, the classic novel. RMB 40.
Time TBD. 12 Nancaiyuan Xijie, Xuanwu District (6354 4993) 大观园，宣武区南菜园12号

Subway: Take Line 4 to Taoranting station and walk west
Have lunch at: Nanlaishun

DITAN TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 9-16
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.
10am-6pm. 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

Subway: Take Line 2 to Andingmen or Yonghegong station or Line 5 to Yonghegong station
Have lunch at: Silk Road Impressions Xinjiang Restaurant

DONGYUE TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-15
Held within a Daoist temple, this fair boasts a huge number of food stalls, with cultural exhibitions and ethnic performances. RMB 10.
Times TBD. 141 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151) 东岳庙，朝阳区朝阳门外大街141号

Subway: Take Line 2 or Line 6 to Chaoyangmen station and walk about 600m east
Have lunch at: Xiao Diao Pear Soup

LONGTANHU TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 9-16
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.
8am-5pm. Longtanhu Park (1km east of the Temple of Heaven), Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District (6718 6358)
龙潭湖公园, 崇文区龙潭路8号

Subway: Take Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen station
Have lunch at: Qingxiangge Dalian Dapaidang

LIANHUACHI TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 9-15
More traditional offerings including yangge dance and the duets of northeast China. Shifuxian (“poem-string”), a centuries-old folk art on the verge of extinction, will be featured at the fair. RMB 10.
Time TBD. Lianhuachi Park, 48 Lianhuachi Lu, Fengtai District 丰台区莲花池路48号莲花池公园

Subway: Take Line 9 to Beijing West Railway Station or Line 10 to Lianhuaqiao station
Have lunch at: Fu Tai Gong

RED SNAIL TEMPLE FAIR
Feb 10-15
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. Beijing Hongluo Si, Huairou District (6068 1175) 怀柔区红螺寺庙会

Buses: Take 936 from Dongzhimen (weekdays), 6 and 16 (weekends); 867 from Dongzhimen Coach Station
Have lunch at: Hongzunyu Yitiaojie

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN CULTURAL WEEK
Feb 10-14
Re-enact the grandeur of ancient Chinese emperors worshipping heaven. A royal procession parade will showcase static whips, a gang barrel, a canopy and eight gold items. Hundreds of actors will dress up as the emperor, officials and imperial bodyguards and perform a series of worship traditions. RMB 40.
Time TBD. Temple of the Heaven Park, Tiantan Road, Dongcheng District

Subway: Take Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen station
Have lunch at: Rongshunxuan Lao Beijing Hot Pot

BEIJING INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE PARK FAIR
Feb 10-16
All you could want at a temple fair – plus blind dating. RMB 10.
Time TBD. Beijing International Sculpture Park, 2 Yuquan Lu, Shijiangshan Lu, Shijiangshan District (6863 8071) 石景山区石景山路2号(地铁玉泉路A出口西侧)

Subway: Take Line 1 to Yuquanlu station or Babaoshan Station
Have lunch at: Ganguo Chuanqi

SUMMER PALACE SUZHOU MARKET STREET FAIR
Feb 10-24
Travel back to the Qing dynasty for folk performances, acrobatic shows and Peking Opera. Price TBD.
Time TBD. 19 Xinjiangongmen Lu, Haidian District 海淀区新建宫门路19 号

Subway: Take Line 4 to Beigongmen station
Have lunch at: Xiang Yang Tun

Photo: Thirdage.com, Peopledaily.com.cn