A temple fair where culture is center stage

Ditan Park venue presents tantalizing glimpse of a rich and varied heritage, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

For many Chinese people, temple fairs are a must-go destination during the Chinese New Year. They are an extravaganza of festive experiences — from strolling through bustling marketplaces and admiring traditional knickknacks, to tasting street food delicacies and watching folk performances.

Temple fairs are a beloved tradition, particularly in the Beijing area, and have now been taken to a whole new level with more stalls, more elaborate decorations, and more interactive experiences, retaining their strong focus on traditional culture, but with a modern twist that captivates younger visitors.

One of the capital's better-known temple fairs is the Ditan Park Temple Fair, which is in its 37th edition this year. Running since Jan 29, Chinese New Year's Day, it ended on Tuesday.