This Day, That Year

Item from Feb 4, 1999, in China Daily: Traveling rural artists from Xinyang of Central China's Henan province prepare for their folk performances at the temple fair in Ditan Park of Beijing.

The temple fair will be held during Spring Festival. It is the fourth time the farmers have performed, celebrating the new year in the country's capital.

Temple fairs, or miao hui, are an important part of traditional celebrations marking the start of Chinese New Year, which begins on Feb 8 this year.