Editor's note
There are many traditional temple fairs in Beijing during the upcoming Spring Festival, but plenty of other events will help you welcome the Year of the Horse, including fireworks celebrations, excursions to suburban areas, as well as exquisite dining experiences at fancy hotels and restaurants. Prepare to experience a splendid, unforgettable Chinese New Year!
▶Dining
New Year's buffet
For those who fancy variety, there's no better way to celebrate this Spring Festival than indulging in an extravagant buffet at Senses. Gather with your family and celebrate the Year of the Horse with an irresistible all-you-can-eat spread that features signature Spring Festival favorites.
When: Jan 31, 11:30 am-10 pm
Where: Senses, Westin Beijing Financial Street, No.9 Financial Street, Xicheng district
Cost: 298-398 yuan, 149-199 yuan
(children aged 6-12)
Contact: 6629-7810
A night at Zajia
Dumplings are the traditional food that Chinese people favor in the festival season. During the holidays, if you are unable to go back to your hometown to reunite with family members, you can head over to Zajia Lab, where they'll be serving handmade dumplings and cured beef. All the drinks will be offered at a 5 yuan
discount. In addition, you can also bring your musical instruments for a celebration with other guests.
When: Daily (until Feb 14), 3 pm-11:30 pm
Where: Zajia Lab, No.23 Doufuchi Hutong, Jiugulou Dajie, Dongcheng district
Cost: Depends on individual order
Contact: 156-0112-2252
Make your own dumplings
Learn how to roll, stuff and fold dumplings. You will not only learn how to knead and roll the dough, to create fillings, to concoct natural dyes from fresh vegetables for colorful wraps for your stylish dumplings, but you will also learn the stories behind one of the most popular dishes that is enjoyed all over China.
When: Feb 8, 10 am-12:30 pm
Where: The Hutong, No.1 Jiudaowan Zhongxiang Hutong, Dongcheng district
Cost: 280 yuan
Contact: 159-0104-6127
▶Celebrations
Party at the Great Wall
Make this year's Spring Festival unforgettable by celebrating it at the Great Wall. The Brickyard at Mutianyu will be the scene of an exhilarating Chinese New Year's Eve Party that features live folk music, hot pot,
jiaozi-making, and
188,000 firecrackers
at midnight.
When: Jan 30,
6 pm-midnight
Where: The Brickyard at Mutianyu, Beigou village, Huairou district
Cost: 198 yuan, free (kids under 4)
Contact:
jim.spear@chinaboundltd.com, 6162-6506
Fireworks at China World Summit Wing
Watch the sky explode into a dazzling display of light and color as Beijing enters the Year of the Horse. To enjoy the stunning fireworks displays, Atmosphere Bar, on the 80th floor of Beijing's tallest building, provides the best seats in the city. A jazz band will keep the party swinging.
When: Jan 30, 9 pm-2:30 am
Where: Atmosphere Bar, 80/F, China World Summit Wing, No.1
Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district
Cost: 200 yuan
Contact: 8571-6459
Beery New Year
Welcome the Year of the Horse with Great Leap Brewing and The Orchid Hotel's third annual Chinese New Year Party. Celebrate with a free flow of six Great Leap beers, The Orchid's mulled wine and an abundance of snacks. Group rates are available for bookings over 10 guests. Seats are limited; book in advance via e-mail.
When: Jan 30, 9 pm-2:30 am
Where: The Orchid Hotel, No.65 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng district
Cost: 350 yuan, 300 yuan (presale)
Contact:
liz@greatleapbrewing.comChinese New Year Camelot Horse Party
We are entering a year full of good energy, and Modernista has decided to celebrate it with the theme of Camelot, complete with special potions of green, blue, and red "dragon" shots. Four musicians from Europe and China will present an original mix of alternative and fusion rock to help the party gallop into the Year of the Horse.
When: Jan 31, 10 pm-2 am
Where: Modernista Old Cafe & Tapas Bar, No.44 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng district
Cost: 10 yuan
Contact: 136-9142-5744
▶Temple fairs
Grand View Garden Temple Fair
Grand View Garden is unique in Beijing for its recreation of several sites described in the classic novel
A Dream of Red Mansions. The temple fair at Grand View Garden is well-known for its presentations of beloved scenes from the novel, such as Jia Yuanchun's first visit home for the Lantern Festival after being selected as an imperial concubine.
When: Jan 30-Feb 6, 8 am-5 pm
Where: Grand View Garden, No.12 Nancaiyuan Jie, Xicheng district
Cost: 40 yuan
Contact: 6354-4993
Temple Fair at Ditan Park
This venerable fair will feature nine performance stages, seven exhibitions, six interactive events and four charities.
When: Jan 30-Feb 6, 8 am-5 pm
Where: Ditan Park, No.2 Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng district
Cost: 10 yuan
Contact: 5165-4966
The Old Summer Palace Temple Fair
The temple fair at the Yuanmingyuan Imperial Garden will feature the traditional Spring Festival customs of the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Various festive performances - including lantern shows, fire shows, palace fairs and skating shows - will be held at the imperial garden, in which visitors can experience a traditional Chinese New Year.
When: Jan 30-Feb 6, 8 am-5 pm
Where: Yuanmingyuan Imperial Garden, No.28 Qinghua Donglu, Haidian district
Cost: 10 yuan
Contact: 6262-5989
Badachu Park Temple Fair
With a theme of welcoming in good luck for the new year, this temple fair will include the worshipping ceremony by Linguang Temple's monks. The fair will also feature the perennially popular snack market and craft stalls.
When: Jan 30-Feb 17, 8 am-5 pm
Where: Badachu Park, No.3 Badachu Lu, Shijingshan district
Cost: 10 yuan
Contact: 8896-4661
▶Music
Traditional Chinese songs
Spring Festival is a good time to appreciate traditional Chinese music in the concert hall. The symphony orchestra of the National Chinese Opera and Dance Drama Company will play a series of classical songs: "Two Springs Reflect the Moon," "Ambush on All Sides," etc.
When: Jan 31, 7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Where: Beijing Concert Hall, No.1 Beixinhua Jie, Xicheng district
Cost: 80-1,280 yuan
Contact: 6605-7006
Contact: 136-7127-4747