Dongcheng to host Ditan, Longtan temple fairs

Beijing's Dongcheng district will host the Ditan Park Temple Fair and the Longtan Spring Festival Cultural Temple Fair from Jan 29, Chinese New Year's Day, to Feb 4, according to a news conference on Jan 20.

This year's Ditan Park Temple Fair, taking place in the Ditan Park (Temple of Earth), marks its 37th edition. It will highlight the essence of Chinese New Year, bringing together festive traditions from across the country with stage performances, interactive experiences and themed exhibitions. Visitors can participate in activities including folklore quizzes and interactions with costumed characters.

The 39th edition of the Longtan Spring Festival Cultural Temple Fair features Beijing's unique flavor. It will set up three stages that showcase diverse forms of folk performing arts, and the Longtan Park and Longtan Zhonghu Park will set up outdoor ice rinks. The exhibitions and installations will present local cultural elements, such as the Beijing Central Axis, Chinese New Year's paintings and Peking Opera facial makeups.

Hebei will be the guest province at the 37th Ditan Park Temple Fair, showcasing its rich and diverse folk customs. The 39th Longtan Spring Festival Cultural Temple Fair will highlight the cultural elements of the Beijing Central Axis. Both fairs will introduce Tianjin's cuisine, Chinese New Year gifts, and quyi (a collection of storytelling, cross-talk and other spoken art forms) performances, further strengthening the cultural integration of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province.

Both fairs have openly recruited exhibitors and vendors, offering festival delicacies or Chinese New Year gifts. The fairs' organizers have also designed their own cultural merchandise.

Visitors can buy tickets on the spot or online. Except for the opening day, the temple fair's opening hours will be 8:30 am to 5 pm.