Revived temple fair has 600-year history

Tourists from Russia enjoy traditional snacks at the Fushansuo Temple Fair, March 3, 2015. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

In Fushansuo folklore, two magic horses helped local defenders defeat Japanese pirates 100 years ago. Residents began to worship the horse God for protection with oil lamps made of pea or corn flour or turnip. The oil lamps are sculpted into diverse figures such as Chinese Zodiac animals, bearing best wishes for people born in different years.

"Lamp lighting and praying were important parts of New Year celebration in Qingdao, and we hope the tradition could be passed on to the next generation through the fair," said an organizer.

The fair also puts on a number of original Qingdao folk performances such as the Yangko dance (a rural folk dance) and Liuqiang opera (Qingdao's local opera), in addition to other nationally famed folk shows including puppetry and face-changing Sichuan opera.

Apart from arts, fried dough sticks, sea food and steamed buns, resembling fish or flowers, feature in a wide array of traditional snacks tickling visitors'taste buds.

The cultural street is now incorporated into the Qilu Culture Creative Park where the China Community Art and Culture Hotel is located.

Built in the shape of Tulou, a type of enclosed and fortified earth building from South China inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the hotel is an active sponsor for the promotion of traditional Chinese culture, especially the Shandong or Qilu culture through its operation.

The boutique hotel is decorated with a Chinese twist offering guests traditional massage, acupuncture and herbal treatment, calligraphy study and access to artworks and guest rooms fitted with ancient furniture.