Spring Festival in Beijing: Temple Fairs by idy
The city empties out as the Spring Festival nears, with many of its residents going back to their hometowns to spend the Chinese New Year with their families. This could be the only time the Beijing roads are unclogged in the day and buses and the subway aren't packed like sardines. It is calm, serene and very likeable indeed.During the Spring Festival, there are fairs that are held in the parks that are most likely where you will find the crowds. These are called Temple Fairs, simply because within the parks are temples at which the traditional prayer sessions are held in olden days. Some of these are traditionals are "reenacted" during the Spring Festival (usually in the morning) with people dressed in traditional gowns and lots of incense.
At these fairs, of course, you'll find the requisite food stalls selling the perennial mutton skewers to powdered flavoured soup concocted with water from a giant kettle and delicacies like smelly tofu. You'll also find the requisite game stalls with giant soft toys up for grabs as well as lots of souvenir stalls selling a wide range of items in the shape and/or likeness of the animal du jour (according to the Chinese zodiac).
Other than that, you may treated to a cultural performance or two, depending on when you arrive. You could catch a Chinese orchestra in action, or a magician, or a karaoke contest. Other novelties include taking part in traditional games like spinning tops, jumping rope, or watching movies the traditional way - on a stool, streetside, peering into a large box through a tiny window.