As the enchanting glow of lanterns graces the night sky, expat families in Beijing have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture during the Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This year, it falls on Feb 24.  Partake in age-old traditions, savor delectable treats, and create lasting memories. Here’s a guide on how foreign families can infuse their own flair into this time-honored festival.

First, let’s start with where you can go to take in the sights. Beijing comes alive with vibrant lantern markets during the Lantern Festival. Check out the largest lantern show in the city at Wuyuhe Park with your family and take in the festive atmosphere.

For those who are culturally curious, join in on a cultural event this weekend and learn about the holiday as well as how to make traditional lanterns. You can also savor some delicious tangyuan!

Then make a pit stop at literally any supermarket on your way home to pick up some tangyuan or yuanxiao and celebrate the Lantern Festival with a culinary adventure. What’s the difference? We explain it all in this article here. Blend traditional Chinese dishes associated with the festival with your family’s favorite recipes. This fusion of flavors reflects the diversity of your household.

Be sure to document your family’s Lantern Festival celebration through photographs and videos. Create a scrapbook or digital album, highlighting the unique blend of traditions and personal touches that made your celebration memorable. Want to share it with us? Just add TBJHelper on WeChat (ID: tbjhelper) and request to join our Best of Beijing in Photos group chat to submit yours!

The Lantern Festival in Beijing offers foreign families a captivating journey into Chinese traditions. By blending local customs with your own unique touches, you can create a celebration that resonates with the diversity of your expat experience. As lanterns illuminate the night, let this festival be a beacon of unity and cultural exploration for your family in the heart of Beijing.

Images: Courtesy of organizer, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

The Chinese New Year holiday may be over officially, but the festive spirit continues at the “Megalights Wonderland” at Chaoyang’s Wenyuhe Park. The 400-acre park-wide lantern festival is the biggest that Beijing residents have seen in years, featuring more than 1,000 colored lanterns over six specific themes from “Auspicious Dragon” to “Vast Space.” Indeed, the show has been so popular since it opened that officials have extended its closing date to July, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to visit.

Here are five useful tips you need to know before you make your way to the spectacular lights event.

1. Buy your tickets ahead of time

To avoid being turned away at the door, buy your tickets on Dianping or whichever local ticketing app you’re familiar with that supports this event. On Dianping, prices start from RMB 68 for children and RMB 118 for adults, with discounted family packages. Do note that there are refundable and non-refundable tickets, so ensure that you get the right one for your needs. Tickets are only usable for the day you choose, and ticket sales usually start a couple of days in advance on Dianping. (“What’s Dianping?” you ask? Check out this post here to find out all about the must-have local Yelp equivalent.)

Search “温榆千灯会“ (Wēnyú qiān dēnghuì) to find tickets. 

2. Get a map

You can download a picture of the physical map or get your own free copy at the kiosks around the park. It’s good to have a plan before you arrive, considering the likelihood of sprawling crowds.

For us, we chose to start from gate 21 and go counter-clockwise for a full circle, exiting at gate 20 (because gate 21 was closed for exit after 7pm). This way seemed the least crowded in our experience.

Gate 23 remained opened for entry until 9pm, and for exit for the whole time, though it must be said that the areas closest to gate 23 were the most packed. Also note that the small road leading up to gate 23 is not open for vehicle traffic, so you’ll have to walk from the main road.

3. No need to pack a picnic, unless you want to save ¥¥¥

There are plenty of food options near every entrance/exit within the park, but prices are a little steep. From local faves such as lamb chuan’r (RMB 30), Chinese sausages (RMB 10), smelly tofu and deep-fried tapioca (RMB 25) all the way to popcorn (RMB ~18-25) and cotton candy (RMB 10), there’s something for everyone at the many F&B stands.

Bonus points if you can buy your snacks from someone dressed up as a local legend. Sun Wukong sold my kid cotton candy!

Toilets were clean and quite accessible as well. Parents – beware the shiny light-up plastic toy shops and game stands that threaten to catch your child’s eye!

4. Prepare for the cold weather (at least for now)

Bundling up is a must since the show only starts at 4.30pm and looks its best after sundown. Temperatures can drop significantly, and since you’ll likely be snapping plenty of photos, protect your hands with some touchscreen-friendly gloves! You’re also going to be walking for at least an hour, so make sure to wear warm socks and comfortable walking shoes. We made it through the park in two hours at a leisurely pace with a pretty large crowd.

5. Camera tips

We arrived before sundown based on some poor advice that the lanterns were just as fun to see in the daytime as they were at night. This was not true in our opinion. While the lanterns are creative in design and quite spectacular in size, they really did not look nearly as exciting or cool in the daylight as they did glowing in the dark. Also, when photographed in the day, the lanterns appeared to be flickering in videos and were rather lackluster in photos. This did not happen once night fell and the lanterns were all fully aglow.

The difference is like day and night!

PRO TIP: To avoid the flickering on camera phones, we were told that you can touch anywhere on the phone screen while using the camera to choose a focal point.

One last tip: The 15m tall giant astronaut lantern has a fun bonus activity where you can superimpose your own face onto the astronaut’s helmet! However, to accomplish this, you’ll have to wait in line for your photo to be taken. When we were there at 6.30pm on a Saturday, we were told the queue was hours-long. Perhaps if you visit at a later date, there will be fewer crowds and you’ll not have to wait as long.

Enjoy the show!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

KEEP READING: We Saw Fireworks at Universal This CNY!

Lantern Festival, also known as 元宵节 Yuánxiāo jié, is a traditional holiday with great cultural significance as it marks the official end of Chinese New Year celebrations. It always falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month which, this year, happens to be Feb 15.

The festival is celebrated around the country and includes various traditions and folk customs, such as lighting lanterns, solving lantern riddles, worshiping deceased relatives, and lion or dragon dancing. It’s also a time for a family reunion, appreciating the bright full moon, and eating Tangyuan – round rice dumplings with sweet fillings – all while enjoying other festive activities.

Beijing’s streets are already adorned with red lanterns and supermarkets are selling all sorts of delicious tangyuan.

Making tangyuan from scratch is surprisingly easy. If you’d like to give it a shot, here’s a recipe from Black Sesame Kitchen courtesy of Wendy Xu to get you started.

For the sweet rice dumpling dough:

2 cups sticky rice flour
1 cup water

Optional fillings:

Red bean paste*
Black sesame paste*
Brown sugar**

*If using sweet bean, nut, or sesame paste, form it into small balls, about 1.5cm in diameter. Chill in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up.
*If using Chinese cane sugar, break it into small chunks.

Directions:

Place the rice flour in a large bowl. Stir in half a cup of water, working the water into the rice flour with your hands. Slowly add more water, a little bit at a time, mixing thoroughly so the water is fully incorporated before adding more. Stop when the dough is springy and soft, not too dry but not slippery. Cover with a damp cloth before filling.

Divide the dough into equal-sized balls about 3 cm in diameter. Press your thumb into the center of a dough ball to form a well, place a piece of filling inside, and pinch up the dough to enclose it. Roll it between your palms to smooth the dumpling. Continue with the rest. When the sweet rice dumplings are filled, set aside the ones you want to cook and eat right away, apart from the ones you may want to freeze for future use.

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the sweet rice dumplings in batches of 10-15, and when the water returns to a boil, cook for 2 minutes. Add a cup of cold water to cool down the temperature so that it continues to boil the sweet rice dumplings gently while the water comes to a boil again. Cook for another 2 minutes until the dough becomes translucent and the dumplings float to the top.

KEEP READING: The Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival Is On!

Images: Pexels, Wendy Xu

Many lantern fairs are held in Beijing during the Lantern Festival, offering us the chance to share in the celebration of this traditional Chinese holiday. Here are five of the best places to see spectacular and colorful lanterns and light shows.

Solana Light Festival

Solana Light Festival has been held every year for the last ten years. Each festival is elaborately crafted with attention to detail and creativity, producing a sense of identity in an urban art space. If you want to see the emerging art of the west and the east, it’s worth checking out.

14^th Dec 2018 – 25^th Feb 2019, free. No.6, Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District (010-5905 6663/6668)
北京市朝阳区朝阳公园路6号
More info here.

Sanlitun Disney Light Show

Disney have unveiled a lantern show to celebrate Chinese New Year in Taikoo Li, Sanlitun, and the display will continue until the Lantern Festival. Many lovable lanterns, featuring classic animated films like Toy Story and Frozen, invite you and your kids to light up the New Year with a wish.

22^nd Jan – 19^th Feb, free. Taikoo Li, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District (010-64177110)
北京市朝阳区三里屯太古里
More info here.

Happy Valley Lantern Festival

Thousands of lanterns light up the whole garden. You have the chance to see a combination of traditional culture and contemporary trends, fabulous Peking Opera figures, a giant “old Beijing” hotpot, and a historical imperial palace there.

2^th Jan – 15^th March, RMB 165 above (Preferential price: 99 yuan/person before 14:00 from 15^th February to 19^th February). Happy Valley, Xiaowuji Beilu, Chaoyang District (010-6738 9898)
北京市朝阳区东四环小武基北路
More info here.

Haidian Shangzhuang Light Festival

The Shangzhuang Light Festival will feature light shows with an array of themes that range from farming, love, traditional culture, fairy tales, and the ocean, to a sea of flowers. You will encounter whimsical displays and familiar characters, all gathered in a big field in Haidian district.

28^th Jan – 19^th Feb 18:00 – 22:00, RMB 35 above. Sanyuan Agricultural Science and Technology Park, No. 119, Shangzhuang road, Haidian District (010-62471966)
海淀区上庄路119号北京三元农业科技园
More info here.

Nangong Lantern Show

There are hundreds of lanterns with colorful lights, elaborately created by local folk artists, at Nangong Lantern Show in Fengtai District. You can enjoy traditional performances combined with outstanding works of art, while having a taste of “old Beijing” street food. Let the New Year vibe spread to the end of the holiday there!

6^th Feb – 20^th Feb 14:00-21:00, RMB 105 above. World Geothermal Expo park, no. 1, Yingbin Road, Wangzuo South Palace, Fengtai District (010-83318032/83318649) 
北京市丰台区王佐南宫迎宾路1号世界地热博览园内
More info here.

Enjoy the lanterns!

Photo: Weibo.com, Taikoolisanlitun.com, Sohu.com, happyvalley.cn

Soon it will be the Lantern Festival (元宵节 yuán xiāo jié), the climax of the Chinese New Year holiday. It is the first full moon night, which is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Over 2000 years, the festival has developed many meanings. People usually celebrate it by moon gazing, lighting lanterns, watching the Lion dance, and eating rice balls (汤圆 tāng yuán) during family reunions. But did you know that, besides the lantern fairs and other traditions, back in ancient times, it was the “true” Chinese Valentine’s Day?

The origin

In ancient China, women usually weren’t allowed out the house. There was a curfew system to prevent criminal activities such as gambling and stealing. No one was allowed to travel from 7pm to 5am, except for funerals, medical treatment, and marriage. Violators would be flogged at least 20 times with a rattan cane as a punishment.

But on the night of the Lantern Festival, everyone could stroll freely. Through lighting lanterns, playing games, and other activities, women could interact with men. These romantic stories are why some say the Lantern Festival is the true Chinese Valentine’s Day, rather than the Qixi Festival, which celebrates the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl in Chinese mythology.

Tales from the past

Princess Taiping, (太平公主Tàipíng Gōngzhǔ), which means “Princess of Great Peace“, was a princess of the Tang Dynasty. Her first accidental meeting with her future husband Xue Shao was during Lantern Festival. During the night, she snuck out of the palace. The princess fell in love with Xue Shao the moment he took off his mask, while she was strolling around during Lantern festival. As she said, she had never seen any man as beautiful as him.

In the Song Dynasty, the famous poet Ou Yangxiu wrote the poem “Fresh berries” to tell a romantic story of the Lantern Festival:

Last year at the Lantern Festival
The flower-market lights were bright as day;
When the moon mounted to the tops of the willows,
Two lovers kept their tryst after the yellow dusk.

This year at the Lantern Festival
The moon and the lights are the same as then;
Only I see not my lover of yesteryear,
And tears drench the sleeves of my blue gown.

(translated by Max)

From the same era, Li Song’s painting “View of the Lantern” depicted the event at that time.

In one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels Dream of the Red Chamber, there is a scene of guessing lantern riddles. After being confined in the boudoir with few free activities for a whole year, the women in the Red Chamber could finally go out and enjoy the Lantern Festival. They dressed up meticulously and tried their best to get attention from men.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy moon gazing, lantern shows and performances while eating a bowl of tāng yuán soon at Lantern Festival!

Photo: Sohu.com, Baidu.com

Reference: British Library, Fenghuang.com

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Half Priced Kids Meals for February

Moka Bros will be celebrating Chinese New Year all month long with half-price Kids’ Meals for all of February! The Moka Kids Meal is regularly priced at 48 RMB.  For the month of February, RMB 24 will get you a child-size portion of a main dish and a medium smoothie. Kids. RMB 24. 11am-10.30pm. All locations.

Niki de Saint Phalle: Legendary Female Artist of the 20th Century and Her Wonderland, until Mar 10

Today Art Museum is currently presenting a large retrospective of work by Niki de Saint Phalle. The inspiration of the whole exhibition is the “Tarot Garden” originally built by Saint Phalle in Italy. Meanwhile, the exhibition also presents important works of Saint Phalle from the 1960s and her comprehensive practice in painting, sculpture, performing art, conceptual art, feminist art, large-scale public art, and film. All ages. 10am-5pm. Today Art Museum. Pingod Space, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区百子湾路32号 (5876 0600)

Taste of India – Indian Snacks with Masala Chai, Feb 13

Chai is part of a long-standing tea culture in India, which creates its unique flavors by mixing together tea, milk, sugar, and spices, and Masala Chai is a refined example. The Hutong is running a Masala Chai party, where you will taste authentic Masala Chai and various Indian snacks. All ages. RMB 350. 7.30-11pm. The Hutong. For more information or to RSVP, please visit this page. 1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District. (southeast of Beixinqiao subway station) 东城区九道湾中巷胡同1号(北新桥地铁站东南边)(6404 3355)

Aphrodisiac Delights with Pauline’s Cuisine, Feb 13

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Pauline’s Cuisine brings you Aphrodisiac Delights, a class of delicious treats for your special someone. Learn to make caprese salad, roasted figs, seafood risotto, and chocolate mousse in an intimate setting. For more information or to register, scan the QR code in the image or visit: http://beijingmothers.com/2018/08/20/paulines-cuisine-class-scedule/. Adults. RMB 420. 10am-1pm. Pauline’s Cuisine, Lido. (www.beijingmothers.com)

Lantern Festival Celebration with Cultural Keys, Feb 17

As Lantern Festival approaches, marking the end of Spring Festival, Culture Key is holding a Lantern Festival Celebration for families, where you will learn about Lantern Festival customs and language, paint paper lanterns, solve riddles, make Tangyuan (sweet dumplings), and enjoy a meal together. All ages. RMB 488 (includes all materials and food), RMB 888 for two people (eight seats only). Cultural Keys. Pickup: 2pm at Tuanjiehu Subway Station (Exit D), drop off: 9pm at Tuanjiehu Subway Station (Exit D). For more information, please contact this email: events@culturalkeys.cn. 191,Xiaopu Beijie, Xiaopu Village, Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District. 通州区宋庄镇小堡村小堡北街 191号。（ Wechat: NicD1280） 

Photos: Courtesy of event organizers, beijingkids

The Lantern Festival, also known as Yuanxiao Festival or Shangyuan Festival, is a traditional holiday with great significance that marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. It always falls on the 15th of the first lunar month, and will fall on Friday, March 2 this year.

As to the origin of Lantern Festival, there are different stories, most of which can be dated back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) period.

The most widely-accepted is that, during early Han Dynasty, a time when Buddhism started gaining more influence in China, Buddhist monks would light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The then reigning Ming Emperor learned of this and demanded that all citizens follow suit and light lanterns since he was eager to promote Buddhism throughout the country.

The festival was henceforth celebrated around the country and devolved into various traditions and folk customs, including lighting lanterns, solving lantern riddles, worshiping deceased relatives, and lion or dragon dancing. It’s also a time for a reunion with family to appreciate the bright full moon and eat Tangyuan (round rice dumpling with sweet fillings) as well as enjoy other festive activities.

Floating lanterns

Lighting and watching lanterns in different colors, sizes and shapes is probably the main activity on that day. Many of the lanterns are shaped into traditional Chinese images and symbols such as animals, because in Chinese culture a specific animal may stand for something fortuitous. For example, a fish stands for abundance, and horses represent energy.

Also, the Chinese character for lantern is 灯 (Dēng) contains 火 (Huǒ, fire), and 丁 (Dīng, people), therefore many believe that lighting multiple lanterns will bring families a bright future and more children. Families living in ancient times would often light many lanterns for this purpose.

Lanterns with festive greetings.

Another outstanding tradition is the lion dance. Ancient people regarded the lion as a symbol of bravery and strength. Therefore, lion dances are performed at important festive occasions to ward off evil and pray for good fortune and safety.

Drum performance accompanying to lion dance.

Tangyuan, round dumplings made of glutinous rice flour and sweet fillings such as sesame seeds, peanuts, bean paste, is a must-have food for Lantern Festival.

As tangyuan is pronounced similarly to 团圆 (Tuányuán) which means reunion and closeness. The whole family gathers together on that day to eat tangyuan as a way to express their best wishes for a year of happiness for their family.

Tangyuan with sesame fillings.

Below are two of the lantern fairs in Beijing that attract a large number of visitors every year.

OCT&Zigong Lantern Festival (until March 12)

Location: Happy Valley (Xiaowuji Beilu, Chaoyang District)

Buying tickets: http://bj.happyvalley.cn/

Longqingshan Ice Lantern Fair (until early March)

Location: Longqingshan Scenic Spot (Gucheng village, Yanqing County)

Tickets: on the gate (RMB 40 per person)

Photos: New China, theworldofchinese.com