Changdian Temple Fair in Beijing

Overview

The Changdian Temple Fair (厂甸庙会, Chǎngdiàn Miàohuì) is a traditional folk event and religious belief activity popular in Beijing (北京市, Běijīng). It is recognized as one of China’s national intangible cultural heritage events. The fair takes place annually from the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year, featuring a grand scale and rich cultural atmosphere, attracting many visitors.

After the liberation of China, the Changdian Temple Fair continued until the early 1960s, remaining lively and popular. However, starting in 1964, the fair was suspended for 37 years due to traffic concerns. In 2001, the Beijing municipal government announced the revival of the Changdian Temple Fair.

On May 20, 2006, the Changdian Temple Fair was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists approved by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国, Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó) (Number X-42).

Historical Background

The temple fair, also known as a temple market, originally referred to as “Sheji” (社祭, Shèjì), which stems from traditional folk religious activities. In ancient times, where there were temples, there were Buddhist rituals. With the gathering of worshippers, merchants were drawn to conduct business, leading to the formation of temple fairs. Among the many temple fairs in old Beijing, the Changdian fair stood out for being named not after a temple and occurring only once a year during the Spring Festival, yet it was known for its large scale and popularity.

The Changdian Temple Fair has a history of over 400 years, evolving from a sacrificial event to a market, and finally transforming into a cultural activity combining commerce and entertainment during the Spring Festival. It is celebrated for blending refined and popular elements, along with commercial and entertainment features.

Historically, the Changdian Temple Fair stretched from Hepingmen (和平门, Hépíngmén) in the north to Liangjiayuan (梁家园, Liángjiāyuán) in the south, from Nanbei Liuxiang (南北柳巷, Nánběi Liǔxiàng) in the west to Yanshou Temple Street (延寿寺街, Yánshòusì Jiē) in the east. Core areas included Xinhua Street (新华街, Xīnhuá Jiē), Haiwang Village (海王村, Hǎiwáng Cūn), Huoshen Temple (火神庙, Huǒshén Miào), and Lüzu Temple (吕祖祠, Lǚzǔ Cí). Its proximity to the city center made it a popular destination for people from all walks of life during the Lunar New Year.

During the Jiajing period (嘉靖, Jiājiù) of the Ming Dynasty (明代, Míngdài), the lantern market was relocated from inside the city for safety reasons. In the early Qing Dynasty (清代, Qīngdài), the lanterns and markets were spread across different locations. Notably, the areas around Zhengyangmen (正阳门, Zhèngyángmén), such as the Moon City, Xiheyan, Langfang Alley, and Dashilar, were prominent for lantern displays. By the Yongzheng (雍正, Yōngzhèng) and Qianlong (乾隆, Qiánlóng) eras, the Changdian Lantern Market was well-established, predominantly featuring books, paintings, and antiques.

Main Activities

The Changdian Temple Fair is renowned for its exhibitions of calligraphy, antiques, jade, classical texts, and cultural treasures, making it a “cultural market” since ancient times. Alongside these, traditional snacks, crafts, daily necessities, and children’s toys also hold significant appeal, ensuring enjoyment for people of all ages.

As society evolved, the fair transitioned from a closed park format to an open pedestrian shopping street model. Key events include traditional Beijing flower fairs, exhibitions of old Beijing folklore photographs, traditional commercial displays, acrobatics, Peking opera performances, and discounted book markets, showcasing a diverse array of cultural experiences.

At the Changdian Temple Fair, visitors can enjoy traditional treats such as candied hawthorns (糖葫芦, tánghúlú), uniquely designed kites (风筝, fēngzheng), and windmills (风车, fēngchē). Artisans from both the north and south set up stalls along the main streets to display their skills. Activities include lion dances, traditional Beijing flower fairs, modern dance, folk character portrayals, old Beijing folklore photo exhibitions, folk crafts displays, and Peking opera, martial arts, and acrobatics performances.

Inheritance and Protection

Inheritance Value

The Changdian Temple Fair, with its long history, grand scale, and distinctive Beijing cultural characteristics, has become a unique platform to showcase folk culture and the Xuannan culture (宣南文化, Xuānán Wénhuà). It serves as a stage for various ethnic and folk cultural arts, possessing deep cultural significance and widespread social impact.

Protection Measures

In November 2019, the list of representatives for national intangible cultural heritage protection units was announced, with the Xicheng District (西城区, Xīchéng Qū) Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center in Beijing being designated as the protection unit for the Changdian Temple Fair project.

As of October 31, 2023, the protection unit for the Changdian Temple Fair project, the Xicheng District Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, was evaluated as qualified.

Social Impact

Folk Influence

The Changdian Temple Fair, along with the Confucius Temple in Nanjing (南京夫子庙, Nánjīng Fūzǐmiào), the Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai (上海城隍庙, Shànghǎi Chénghuángmiào), and the Qingyang Palace in Chengdu (成都青羊宫, Chéngdū Qīngyáng Gōng), stands as a historically significant and culturally rich regional temple fair in China.

The revival of the Changdian Temple Fair has fulfilled the public’s cultural and entertainment needs, with attendance reaching 2 million in 2001. The fair retained traditional elements like large candied hawthorns, big windmills, traditional snacks, and performances, showcasing various intangible cultural heritages of Beijing.

The first fair after the merger of the Xuanwu District (宣武区, Xuānwǔ Qū) and Xicheng District took place in 2011, continuing traditions while also introducing innovations.

Important Activities

The first Changdian Temple Fair was held from January 24 to 29, 2001, which corresponds to the first to the sixth day of the lunar new year, primarily along Nanhua Street (南新华街, Nán Xīnhuá Jiē) and Dongliulichang West Street (东琉璃厂西街, Dōng Liúlí Chǎng Xī Jiē). The fair extended from Hepingmen (和平门, Hépíngmén) in the north to Hufangqiao (虎坊桥, Hǔfāngqiáo) in the south, covering a vertical distance of 1,050 meters and an east-west span of 548 meters.

During the 2018 Spring Festival, as a national intangible cultural heritage event, the Changdian Temple Fair returned to focus on cultural experiences, emphasizing stationery and antiques, attracting a total of 218,000 visitors.

In the 2019 Spring Festival, the fair initiated a design competition for its mascot and cultural products. After a rigorous evaluation by experts, a mascot combining intangible cultural heritage and modern design was selected.

The 2019 fair, held from February 5 to 9 (the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year), took place on Dongliulichang East and West Streets and, unlike other Beijing fairs, did not feature food stalls or entertainment, focusing instead on an artistic, historical, and educational atmosphere.

In 2024, the theme of the Changdian Temple Fair will be “Strolling the Ancient Capital’s Central Axis, Appreciating the Century-Old Changdian,” further highlighting traditional Beijing culture. The city will launch a festive landscape design theme titled “Warm and Bright Beijing, Joyful Spring Festival,” with lanterns, couplets, and decorative items adorning the streets, extending the evening lighting hours. Additionally, the popular Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala will emphasize family-friendly features, promoting traditional culture.

Related Reports

On February 14, 2024, it was announced that to enhance the visitor experience, the Changdian and Daguan Garden fairs in Xicheng District will extend their duration until February 16 (the seventh day of the lunar new year).