An ancient custom still loved by one and all

By Li Aoxue and Wang Ying (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-30 07:30

A senior citizen (center), carrying his granddaughter, walks among visitors to Beijing's Longtan Temple fair on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year Thursday. [Agencies]

Chinese still love visiting temple fairs during Spring Festival but organizers are adding more color and dimension to the events to keep pace with the times.

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For instance, the fair that opened in Beijing's Longtan Park on Jan 25, Lunar New Year's Eve, had a mix of traditional dishes, fancy toys, interesting home appliances and traditional Chinese folk performances.

"About 80 percent of our visitors are people born before the 1970s. So to attract more visitors, especially those born after the 1980s, we have added some programs," said Shi Wei, deputy director of Longtan Park.

Competitions such as simulated golf and BMX are the new additions in the 25th year of the fair, he said.

"One hundred participants a day will be selected for competition after they go through strict tests," Shi said.

The temple fairs attract many expatriates, and they are doing so in the Year of the Ox, too - not only because of the performances, but also because of the kiosks selling knick-knacks.

Ditan Park in Beijing's Chao-yang district had its fair share of foreign visitors yesterday. An American couple were seen buying hats with oxen, with many foreigners going for giant panda toys - a symbol of China.

"I ate many traditional Chinese dishes at the Ditan Temple fair, such as jiaozi (dumplings)," said Hooman Kazemi, a 32-year-old Iranian student.

In Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, the 4th temple fair has a mix of traditional Chinese folk art performances such as stilts and lion dance. The Jan 23-Feb 10 event has a lantern show and calligraphy exhibition, too.

At a fair in Qingdao, Shandong province, visitors can find Chinese antiques, porcelain, calligraphy and ancient paintings.

Qingdao is one of the headquarters of China Taoist Association and holds Taoist ceremonies on the first day of the temple fair.

Temple fairs started in ancient times when believers prayed for an auspicious New Year. But nowadays, they are more of a combination of fancy goods, food marts and entertainment venues.