Incensed netizens rap temple fairs

Cultural events criticized as being too commercial, crowded, unimpressive

Beijing netizens are giving a big "thumbs down" to temple fairs after authorities recently announced an unprecedented economic boost from tourism during Spring Festival.

"The temple fair, which is a typical cultural event, is now too commercial and I cannot find what I like and expect to see during these events," Zhang We, who started oldbeijing.net in 2001 to collect memories about the city, told METRO on Wednesday.