The Spring Festival is approaching. In China, temple fairs are indispensable during the Spring Festival holiday.

The tradition of a "temple fair" (Miao Hui) began as groups of vendors who did business near Buddhist and Taoist temples when many pilgrims came to pay tribute to the gods during traditional festivals. The practice grew, gradually turning into a regular event.

Now temple fairs are an important and joyful destination for Chinese people during festivals, most especially the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year. The fairs have lots of games to play, food to eat, and performances to see.

Following are main temple fairs in China during this year’s Spring Festival.

Beijing

Ditan Temple Fair (Photo/Xinhua)

Ditan Temple Fair

Venue: Ditan Park, Dongcheng District

Dates: Feb. 18 - 25 

Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair (Photo/Xinhua)

Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair

Venue: Yuanmingyuan (Garden of Perfect Splendor), 28 Qinghua West Rd, Haidian District

Dates: Feb. 10-16

Longtan Temple Fair (Photo/people.cn)

Longtan Temple Fair 

Venue: Longtan Park, Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District

Dates: Feb. 19 - 24

Daguanyuan Temple Fair (Photo/Xinhua)

Daguanyuan Temple Fair 

Venue: Daguanyuan Park, No.12, Nancaiyuan Street, Xicheng District

Dates: Feb. 19 - 23