Temple fairs remain a firm favorite

In other districts outside of the downtown

Gu Fan Hui

Feb 17 - 18

Qianjuntai village and Zhuanghu village

The most ancient temple fair

The fair dates back from some 500 years, and it was assessed as one of China’s national-level intangible culture heritage items in 2014. Staged by the local villagers it is less commercial than the other fairs.

Buses: 929 (from Pingguoyuan subway station)

Hongluo Temple Fair

Feb 19 - 24 Hongluo Temple?? 2 Hongluo East Road Head out of town to this large Buddhist temple, where you can welcome the start of the new lunar year by striking a big bell, view some 3,000 palace lanterns and guess lantern riddles.

Buses: 936 (from Dongzhimen coach station)

Huairou Lianqiaofan

Feb 17 - 20 Yangshudixia village, Liulimiao town The village has a traditional folk festival "Lianqiaofan" during Lantern Festival. Girls of 12 to 13 years old will gather grain and vegetables from each household, then, assisted by the adult women, they will cook them for the locals and visitors.