Ditan Park Fair

One of the city's busiest temple fairs, Ditan Park is the site of the altar where sacrifices were formerly offered to the earth god, and this year's fair will open with a performance imitating the Qing Dynasty sacrificial ceremony. Activities and events during the fair will include folk performances, fashion shows and a food street.

Location: 100 meters north of the Lama Temple or Lama Temple Subway Station.

To get there: Yonghegong (Lama Temple) subway, bus 13, I 16, 62 for the south gate; trolley bus 104, 108, or bus 27, 358, 119, 407, 328, 803 or 912 for west gate. Also Andingmen subway.

Fair time: February 8 to 15.

Admission: 6 yuan (72 US cents).

Baiyunguan Temple Fair

This is the grandest temple fair of west downtown. Baiyunguan is a Taoist temple that is more than 1,000 years old. This is the only fair which is really held in a temple.

Location: Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District.

To get there: Take bus routes 320, 414 to Baiyunguan Station or 114, 308, 937 to Baiyunlu.

Fair time: February 8 to 15.

Admission: 6 yuan (72 US cents)

Changdian Temple Fair

The Changdian Temple Fair is often a favorite outing for Beijing residents during the Lunar New Year. It is particularly held to draw people to buy and sell paintings and calligraphic works, antiques, articles for daily use, children's toys, food products and seasonal fruit and vegetables. In addition, entertainment is provided in the form of acrobatics, conjuring and operas.

This is one of the temple fair sites particularly enjoyed by foreigners.

Location: Liulichang Jie, Xuanwu District.

Fair time: February 8 to 15.

Admission: Free.

Longtanhu Temple Fair

Fair events here are very similar to those in Ditan. There will be various interactive competitions inviting visitors to join in arm-wrestling, rock climbing and chess playing.

Location: Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District.

To get there: Bus Route 807, 12, 6, 60, 116 get to the park.

Fair time: February 8 to 15.

Admission: 5 yuan (60 US cents).

Shijingshan Amusement Park

This will be a foreign-style temple fair. It is almost like a foreign carnival parade.

Visitors can get to its south gate by taking the subway to Bajiao Youleyuan.

The park is 100 meters west of the subway station.

Fair time: February 8 to 15.

Admission: 5 yuan (60 US cents).

(China Daily February 8, 2005)