How to celebrate 2011 Spring Festival in Beijing
Following are some events that we suggest our students who will be in Beijing during the holidays to participate.
1, Dongyue Temple Fair（东岳庙庙会）
The fair at the Dongyue temple is among the most ancient in Beijing whose history dated back to the Yaun Dynasty. The Dongyue Temple Fair is particularly known for its comprehensive range of folk customs and activities. Praying for good fortune is the theme of the Dongyue Temple Fair. During the fair, you can see a variety of ornaments inside and outside the temple that carry the Chinese Character “福” (good fortune or blessing):
Address：500 meters to east from Chaoyangmen(朝阳门)subway station-Line 2, on the north side of the street.
Cost: 20 RMB ( last year)
2, Ditan or called Temple of Earth Fair (地坛庙会)
Ditan or called Temple of Earth is one of oldest temples in Beijing. It used to be the place in which the Emperor worshiped the god of Earth. Its Spring Fetival Temple Fair is also one of the most popular events during Chinese lunar New Year in Beijing. In last a few years, Temple Fair here focused on Beijing traditional craft arts shows. A large numbers of Beijing style foods ventors were invited in the Fair. Events are usuall from Chinese lunar calender Dec. to to Jan. 7.
Address：get off at subway station --- Andingmen, (安定门) , 300 meters north
from the station and on the east side of the road.
Cost: 10RMB ( last year )
3, The Ice Sculptures of Longqing Gorge （龙庆峡冰灯节）
Longqing Xia or call Longqing Gorge is located Yanqing county in northeast side of Beijing and it is about 10 kilometers from Beijign urban center. Each year, ice sculpture shows and many ice sport activities are orgnized there during Chinese New Year holidays. 。
Address: Subway station: Deshengmen (德胜门) take Bus No. 919 to the last station, then change into Bus No.920， or take a local taxi.
Cost: 80 yuan for one person（last year).
4, The Capital Museum （首都博物馆）
The capital museum is a good place for you to appreciate Chinese culture and arts and to know history of china. During the holidays there are lots of exhibitions. Such as classical paintings, works of ancient calligraphy and works of Bronze art in Beijing area works of ancient Jade art etc.
Address: C1 entrance of Subway station Muxidi on Line one. (It’s on the east
of the station and on the south side of the street.)
Cost: 30 RMB
Introduction of Chinese Spring Festival
Chinese Spring Festival or called Chinese Lunar New Year’s is the most important holiday in China. The festival traditionally begins on Chinese New Year Eve and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th of Jan. Chinese New Year's Eve is the time that the family members gather togather and make dumplings and other traditional foods. Fireworks are an indispensable part of celebrations and people wish to blow away all the ill fortunes for themselves and the families.
Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts andcouplets with popular themes of "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity". Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in a red envelope. The Chinese New Year tradition is a great way to reconcile; forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
