Shh… did you hear traffic? No? We didn’t either! It’s the quietest time to be in Beijing and with most of the city gone for Chinese New Year, those of us who stayed behind get to take advantage of the empty subways and empty streets. Just imagine it, a clear shot from CBD to Haidian in 30 minutes or less, plus unfettered access to all the holiday pizzazz lighting up the city. To help you make the most of the season, we’ll be posting daily recommendations for the best deals and coziest places in town, as you and your family usher in the marvelous, magical, and sure to be majestic… Year of the Rat!

Spring Festival is a veritable tapestry of complex traditions and rituals steeped in ancient mythology, guiding everything from what color you should wear to what food you should eat and the presents you should give. It’s a time ostensibly reserved for family, resulting in the largest human migration on the planet as people make their way back to their hometowns, with an astounding 3 billion journeys estimated this year alone, although that number is quickly dwindling due to the rapidly developing coronavirus saga.

Nevertheless, The sheer totality of this week-long event is a dizzying display of the richness that is Chinese culture, and one that is sure to enchant seasoned and rookie expats alike.

Generally speaking, this massive movement of locals means there aren’t a whole lot of folks left to run those restaurants and shops you and your family love to frequent (save for the sweet deals we have been and will be, profiling this week), so the city all but shuts down.

However, as businesses shutter their doors for much-needed family time, Temple Fairs pop up all over town. Whether these events actually showcase the very best that Chinese New Year (CNY) has to offer is debatable, with each event boasting a plethora of questionable snacks both Western and Eastern, games, art, handicrafts, performances, and more.

While Temple Fairs are usually billed as a must-see experience if you’re to fully immerse yourself in this wonderful country, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the few inherent downsides that come with them, and specifically, those that are particularly relevant to the current health crisis.

Namely, some fairs attract a million visitors over four or five days, meaning in a good year, they can be uncomfortably crowded. This year, however, uncomfortably crowded has taken on an entirely new meaning. That is, we cannot, in good conscience recommend that you attend any Temple Fairs this year. As experts are recommending the avoidance of crowds to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, it’s an unfortunate fact that this year’s CNY festivities must take a backseat to the health and wellbeing of our communities and our readers.

Moreover, given that they’re held outside during the height of winter, it’s going to be cold. Like, really cold.  And although some of the fairs will have interesting tchotchkes and knickknacks, the vast majority of what’s on sale is nothing more than your average cheap souvenir with an inflated price tag for the occasion. In fact, one of the most popular purchases of last year were poop emoji balloons, which surely left the Beijing old-timers scratching their heads in bewilderment.

Temple Fair Closures

We regret to inform you that the city’s temple fairs, which would usually be heaving with revelers in the coming days, have all been canceled.

To be honest, aside from the few performances on display, Temple Fairs are truly awash in bad food and worse shopping. All you’re missing out on is some cotton candy, ice cream, chuar, and less than appetizing tanghulu, all of which can be consumed year-round in less gaudy environments.

Photos: The Erica Chang via Wikicommons, Paul Louis via Wikicommons

Temple fairs are one way to get a taste of the Spring Festival in Beijing. If you do not want to spend the whole week stuck indoors watching reruns of Tom and Jerry on Cartoon Network temple fairs offer an alternative: traditional snacks, stalls, and entertainment. Below are a few of the best that Beijing has to offer.

Dongyue Temple Fair 东岳庙会
Dongyue Temple Fair is a more traditional temple fair generally attended by a lot of the local residents living nearby. It features traditional Chinese acrobatics shows and other traditional Chinese performance arts. There will also be stalls selling souvenirs, handicrafts, New Year decorations all in the spirit of the sheep, and snacks (maybe also sheep themed, who knows). Also, make sure to take a look at the temple’s wonderfully demented taoist figurines.
RMB 10, 9am-5pm (Feb 18-25)
141 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151)
东岳庙，朝阳区朝外大街141号

Chaoyang Park Temple Fair 朝阳公园庙会
One of the more’ international’ of Beijing’s temple fairs, Chaoyang Park’s temple fair features a Spanish circus, street artists from the Netherlands, Russia, Greece, Peru, and Chile among others, and it will feature exciting promotional attractions in relation to China’s bid for the 2022 Olympics.
RMB 10, 7.30am-5pm (Feb 19-24)
1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6591 5258)
朝阳公园，朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号

Longtan Park Temple Fair 龙潭公园庙会
Longtan Park Temple Fair is a big and ram-packed with stalls of every kind. The park itself is also great as a day trip, walk around the entire lake if you have the time.
RMB 10, 8am-5pm (Feb 18-25)
8 Longtan Lu, Dongcheng District (6714 4310)
龙潭公园，东城区龙潭路8号

Ditan Park Temple Fair 地坛公园庙会
The Ditan Temple Fair is a classic (potentially one of the most popular) option. Featuring traditional snacks, handicrafts, games, and a lot of people.
RMB 10, 10am-5pm (Feb 18-25)
2 Andingmen Waidajie, Dongcheng District (8429 0142)
地坛公园，东城区安定门外大街2号

Happy Valley Temple Fair 北京欢乐谷新春庙会
Who doesn’t fancy the idea of a temple fair at an amusement park? If you are a both a rollercoaster maniac and fan of Chinese traditions, Happy Valley Temple Fair will be a must-see. More than 50 Chinese acrobatic shows will be performed throughout the day, and a parade featuring the Chinese zodiac animals and popular figures in Spring Festival folklore will roll through the park.
RMB 160, 9.30am-8.30pm (Feb 19-Mar 5)
Xiaowuji Beilu, Chaoyang District (6738 9898)
欢乐谷，朝阳区小武基北路

Old Summer Palace Imperial Temple Fair 圆明园皇家庙会
According to the Old Summer Palace website, this temple fair is a recreation of late 19th century fairs when the Qing emperors would meet members of the royal family, nobility, court officials, and foreign diplomats at the Old Summer Palace for a Spring Festival. Expect lots of traditional costumes and a parade fit for imperial times.
RMB10, Feb 19-24
28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6254 3673)
圆明园，海淀区清华西路28号

 This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on February 5, 2015. 

Temple fairs are a Beijing custom that dates back to the Liao Dynasty, where cultural gatherings would take place around the time of Chinese New Year, traditionally adjacent to temples. Temple fair activities usually include worshipping deities, entertainment, and shopping. Beijing’s largest temple fairs attract thousands of visitors, as people come together to celebrate spring festival. Closer to home, and without the crowds, the Shunyi Temple Fair at Beijing Riviera Country Club, will have traditional Chinese entertainment, snacks, and shopping. Many of us will migrate to warmer climes during the spring festival holidays, but for those staying put, Flips & Kicks Plus will be running one of their popular kids multi-sports camps.

You may have read the adverts promoting Parent Effectiveness Training, but feel you want to know more before signing up. A free information session tomorrow will help answer your questions, and tell you more about the courses on offer. If you haven’t yet tried one of the fabulous pies from Two Guys and a Pie, you’re really missing out. Their newly launched on-line shop, now means ordering and delivery couldn’t be simpler.

Temple fair
Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), together with Beijing Riviera, will be hosting a Temple Fair at Beijing Riviera Country Club on Saturday, February 7 from 10am-1pm. It promises to be a fun-filled event, especially perfect for families with younger children. There will be arts and crafts, hands-on activities for the kids to enjoy, and live performances. These will include a magician, an old Beijinger’s talk show about traditional Chinese toys, and of course lion dancing. Admission is free, and visitors will be able to shop from a variety of stalls, whilst enjoying some traditional Chinese snacks. Jamaica Blue café is situated within the clubhouse, so you can stay after the fair and enjoy a lunch. Beijing Riviera Country Club, 1 Xiang Jiang Bei Lu (8450 6888, brcc@bjriviera.com) www.bjriviera.com

Spring Festival Camp
Flips & Kicks Plus is running a Spring Festival Camp at BSB Shunyi, from February 16-20. The multi-sports camp will focus on gymnastics and martial arts, but will also include fencing, ping pong, basketball, and volleyball. Expert coaches will ensure the camp experience is both safe and fun. Campers will be divided into two groups: Group A for 5-8 year olds and Group B for 9-12 year olds. The half day camp will run from 9am-noon, RMB 1,800. The full day camp will run from 9am-2.30pm, RMB 2,800. There will be an additional fee for lunch, however water and one piece of fruit will be provided per day.

All current Flips & Kicks Plus members and students, plus BSB Shunyi students, will receive a 10 percent discount on camp fees. To register, and for more information, contact (Fredrik 151 2009 8062 / 137 1846 2044, Kai 158 1068 6744, yderstrom@hotmail.com, info@flipsandkicksplus.com) www.flipsandkicksplus.com

Free P.E.T Session
On Thursday, January 29 there will be a free information session on Parent Effectiveness Training (PET). The session will be held in Shunyi from noon-1pm. If you have wondered what PET is all about, this is an opportunity to come along and find out more. If you decide the PET training course is for you, you will be able to sign up for the next course, which starts on Thursday February 5. Spaces are limited for the free session, to sign up email naomitaylor2010@hotmail.co.uk. For more information visit the website www.counsellingwithnaomi.com

Pie Delivery
The guys with some of the best pies in Beijing have launched a new online store. With some new flavor pies on the menu, and delivery to your home or work, what better way to warm up on a cold winter’s evening than by indulging in something from Two Guys and a Pie. New to their range are the bacon and cheese roll, green curry eggplant pie, Hunan beef and pepper pie, and the spinach feta roll. They still have all the original favorites – with a variety of chicken, beef, and lamb pies, sausage rolls, and for dessert pumpkin or apple pie. Rolls RMB 15-20, small pies RMB 25-30, and family pies RMB 150.

As well as online ordering, you can still order via email. Payment can be made by cash on delivery, or via bank transfer. Additional payment options will be available in the near future. To order your pies contact (186 1255 7637, info@twoguysandapie.com) www.twoguysandapie.com   

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: IQRemix (Flickr), courtesy of Flips & Kicks Plus, Two Guys and a Pie

As the first month of 2013 draws to a close, there’s still plenty going on and already planned for February. Coming up is Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, and by the end of the month hopefully a glimmer of spring. Here are some things to mark in the calendar:

*Tomorrow (January 31) enjoy a pre-CNY and pre-Valentine bazaar from 11am-3pm at Green T. House Living in Shunyi. Vendors will showcase all of their beautiful items, from jewelry to cashmere, gifts and more. There will be a drop off for Roundabout charity donations, and all table fees will be donated to Roundabout as well. While there, enjoy a fabulous buffet lunch, too!

*The annual Dulwich College Temple Fair provides fun activities and great entertainment, and it’s open for all to enjoy! Come to the Beijing Riviera clubhouse on Saturday, February 2 from 10am-2pm to enjoy lion dance performances (10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm) as well as opera mask changing performances (11am, noon).

*Also on Saturday with Dulwich is the annual event, The Red Ball! From 6:30pm-11:30pm at the Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, this wonderful evening supports Educating Girls of Rural China (www.egrc.ca). All are invited to attend the cocktail reception, four-course dinner, live music, fabulous auction prizes and much more. The goal is to raise RMB 200,000 to support 15 girls in their quest for a high school or university education. Tickets are RMB 900 per person; contact Veena Rao at 136 8355 4744 or raomittal@yahoo.com for details.

*Fitness is usually on the list of new year’s resolutions, so here are some great classes to consider by Stella Chan Marinaro.

• Fit and FAB (Females Achieving Balance): Get group nutritional counseling, cooking/tasting demonstrations, and learn about losing weight and keeping it off. Classes are Friday mornings from 10-11am at Boulangerie Nanda in Cathay View Plaza; RMB 80 per class.
• GAB (Girls Achieving Balance): Designed for pre-teen girls to promote healthy choices and self-respect, the girls exercise, talk, and make friends while learning healthy life-long habits. Classes are Fridays 4-5pm and have already begun; RMB 750 for six weeks.
• Spin +:  high intensity indoor cycling classes set to great music, held at the Human in Motion Fitness Studio in Cathay View Plaza; RMB 150 per class or RMB 1,350 for 10 classes.
• Contact Stella directly at stella@achievingbalance.asia or 1860 127 4767 for specifics.

*Another fitness option is a new class in Dragon Bay – Body Balance, a low intensity exercise inspired by yoga, tai chi and Pilates. It improves joint flexibility and strength, and helps you feel centered and calm. Held on Fridays from 10-11am at the Dragon Bay clubhouse; contact antjepfeiffer@ymail.com for details.

*Shunyi crafters, take note! Stella at the woodcarver’s shop is selling her collection of craft supplies. From decorative hole punches and craft scissors, to candle-making or soap-making kits and much more, contact Stella directly if you are interested (136 9334 0571).

*The Roundabout book fair continues at The British School of Beijing in Shunyi until the CNY break. You can visit the campus during school hours (Monday – Friday from 9:30am-4pm) to purchase books, puzzles, games and kids DVDs. 

*New year, new prices. The car wash over on Tianbei Lu (near Tom’s DVDs, Stella’s Woodcarver Zhang, and others) has increased its price for a regular car wash to RMB 25. While inflation has seen the price increase about 66% over the past five years, we can hardly complain about a $4 car wash.

If you’re going to be in Beijing over the Chinese New Year holidays (like me), take the opportunity to visit a temple fair. Temple fairs (or miaohui) are traditional celebrations replete with religious ceremonies, folk performances, traditional crafts (such as paper cutting and scroll writing), vendors hawking toys and kitsch, and scrumptious snack stalls. They usually take place at temples and parks, but several international schools also organize their own. Click through for a rundown of 2012 temple fairs. Be prepared: temple fairs can get very crowded during the holidays.

School Temple Fairs:

Jan 17
BCIS Temple Fair 2012
Already in its fourth edition, Beijing City International School’s temple fair features live student performances, special guests, folk arts, Beijing opera, and acrobatics. More than 50 vendors will be onsite at the school gym to sell Chinese arts and crafts, as well as traditional Chinese treats.
Free. 11am-1pm. BCIS, 77 Baiziwan Nan Er Lu, Chaoyang District (8771 7171) 朝阳区百子湾南二路77号

Jan 18
YCIS Beijing Chinese New Year Temple Fair
Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s annual temple fair stars roaming performers, traditional crafts, and an authentic atmosphere.
Free. 8.30am-2pm. YCIS Beijing, Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang District (8583 3731) 朝阳区后八里庄5号红领巾公园

Traditional Temple Fairs:

Jan 23-28
Changdian Temple Fair
The Changdian Temple Fair is one of Beijing’s most popular temple fairs, featuring lion dancers and a set of big drums for visitors to beat on. Be warned: Changdian is very crowded!
RMB 10. 9am-4.30pm. Changdian Temple Fair, Taoranting Park, 19 Taiping Jie, Xuanwu District (6358 8801) 厂甸庙会，宣武区太平街19号陶然亭公园

Jan 23-28
Chaoyang Park Temple Fair
Chaoyang Park is traditionally considered the “international” temple fair, with contributions from several countries. This year, nearly 100 artists from the UK, France, Holland, and Russia will participate in a parade taking place at 11am on every day of the festival. 
RMB 10. Chaoyang Park, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6506 5409) 朝阳公园，朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号

Jan 23-27
Daguanyuan Temple Fair
This temple fair takes over parts of Beijing Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan), with drummers, costumed parades, acrobatics and other ethnic and cultural performances.
RMB 40 (at the door), RMB 30 (presale). 10am-5pm. 12 Nancaiyuan Xijie, Xuanwu District (6354 4993) 大观园庙会，宣武区南菜园西街12号大观园

Jan 22-29
Ditan Park Temple Fair
Another one of Beijing’s busiest temple fairs, Ditan Park is the site of an altar where sacrifices were made to the earth god. The area around the altar is the site of many performances, shopping stalls, and food vendors. This one is also crowded, so be prepared. IC cards can be used at the entrance.
RMB 10. 9am-5pm. Ditan Park, Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6421 4657) 地坛公园庙会，东城区安定门外大街

Jan 23-28
Dongyue Temple Fair
Dongyue is a very traditional Taoist temple with food stalls, cultural exhibitions, and ethnic performances. It’s one of the better temple fairs to take kids, with folk crafts, toys, puppet shows, lion dancing, and more.
RMB 10 (at the door), RMB 8 (presale). 8.30am-4.30pm. 141 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151) 东岳庙庙会，朝阳区朝阳门外大街141号

Jan 22-29
Longtan Hu Temple Fair
Fair events here are very similar to those in Ditan Park. There are various competitions where visitors can join in arm-wrestling, rock climbing and chess playing. There will be IC card readers at the entrance.
RMB 10. 9am-4pm. Longtan Hu Park,  Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District (6718 6358) 龙潭湖庙会，崇文区左安门内大街龙潭湖公园

Jan 23-29
Shijing Shan Temple Fair
Unlike other temple fairs, Shijingshan veers away from the traditional to feature exotic smells, sights, tastes, and sounds. As a result, this fair is said to attract many foreigners. Judge wisely whether this is your cup of tea.
RMB 10. 9am-4.30pm. 25 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District (6886 2547) 石景山游乐园庙会，石景山区石景山路25号

Jan 23-28
Yuanmingyuan Royal Temple Fair
In the Qing dynasty, this old summer palace was once among the most bustling places during Spring Festival. People are still divided over whether Yuanmingyuan should host temple fairs or be left alone as a “shameful reminder of a ‘weak’ late Qing Dynasty.” Either way, there will be showcases of the Qing court’s customs, cuisine, leisure activities, academics, and more.
RMB 10. 8.30am-5pm. 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6256 3659) 圆明园庙会, 海淀区清华西28号圆明园