WINTER TOURISM

B eijing M unicipal C ommission T ourism D evelopment

of

WINTER TOURISM IN BEIJING

Beijing Travel Feature Volume 7

Visit the Imperial City –––––

Experience Chinese New Year Traditions and Joys of Winter Wonderland

1

Winter Tourism in Beijing Beijing’s winter comes in a silvery whisper, and brings about beautiful tranquility that carries itself with a sense of nobility. One will see a sea of festive red colors decorating the entire city upon Christmas’ and New Years’ arrival, expressing a warm and homely atmosphere; when snow makes its entrance, pure white colors cast a dignified silence upon the lands. This volume will go into detail about Beijing’s winter tourism, mainly including the capital’s traditional New Year cultural festivities and various ice and snow activities, allowing visitors to gain a deeper, full-spectrum understanding of Beijing’s unique winter charm.

2

3

BEIJING WINTER TOURISM Highlights

9

Temples

Traditional Temple Fairs Ditan Park Temple Fair | Changdian Temple Fair | Longtan Temple Fair | Grand View Garden Temple Fair | Chaoyang Park Temple Fair | Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair | Badachu Temple Fair | Shijingshan Amusement Park Temple Fair | Baiyunguan Taoist Temple Fair

3

Fun-filled Winter Activities

2

Popular Things to Do in Winter

Activities

Trips

Snowy Imperial City | Snowy Capital | Winter Sightseeing

Ancient Town New Year Celebrations | Hot Springs

For more information, please continue below.

4

Traditional Temple Fairs

Rich Heritage Welcoming the New Year

Chinese New Year and its events have long been visited and followed by Beijing locals, a beautiful celebration that adds to the atmosphere of spring. From Ditan Park and Grand View Garden, to Longtan Lake Park and Chaoyang Park, temple fairs are held all over Beijing. Travelers can get a true feel of ageold Chinese celebrations through these traditional cultural activities in the midst of bustling crowds and nostalgic merchandise.

5

6

Ditan Park Temple Fair Location: Ditan Park

Location: Taoranting Park

Tel:

+86-10-64214657

Tel:

+86-10-63511596

Website:

http://www.dtpark.com/

Website:

http://www.trtpark.com/

The Ditan Park Temple Fair attracts visitors from all over the world to Beijing to appreciate the unique imperial culture. In recent years, the Ditan Park Temple Fair has relied on new media practices to present cultural performances, letting visitors experience age-old customs, and have invited a group of well-known, time-honored restaurants to offer authentic Old Beijing cuisine.

Longtan Temple Fair

The Changdian Temple Fair was first established under Jiajing Emperor’s rule during the Ming Dynasty, and was one of the top eight temple fairs in Beijing’s history, as well as being one of the largest, most famous fair, earning a cultural name for itself within Beijing. Its unique festive atmosphere is demonstrated through performances with stilts, Taiping Drum, float parades, five tiger stick martial arts, various cultural parades, and elderly performers displaying their expertise.

Grand View Garden Temple Fair

Location: Longtan Lake Park

Location: Grand View Garden

Tel:

Tel:

+86-10-63544993

Website:

http://www.bjdgy.com/

+86-10-67144336

The Longtan Temple Fair has been established since 1984, and is a relatively new addition to the capital’s temple celebrations amongst Beijing’s other fairs. During Chinese New Year, folk performances, float parades, car shows, book fairs, etc. are especially intricately put together and presented. Its traditional parade gathers performers from all over the world, demonstrating relatable festivities to foreigners and tourists traveling in Beijing.

7

Changdian Temple Fair

The Grand View Garden Temple Fair often demonstrates concepts centering on the imperial “Red House” culture, digging deeper into these cornerstones using opera as the main anchor, and uses live streaming to expand its influence; in previous years, they have invited professionals like the Jing Kun Opera Association to perform, holding performances of such types, to showcase the cultural aspects of Beijing.

Chaoyang Park Temple Fair

Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair

Location: Chaoyang Park

Location: Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park

Tel:

+86-10-65953972

Tel:

+86-10-62628501

Website:

http://www.sun-park.com/

Website:

http://www.yuanmingyuanpark.cn/ http://www.yuanmingyuanpark.cn/ymyen/ http://www.yuanmingyuanpark.cn/ymyja/ http://www.yuanmingyuanpark.cn/ymyfr/

The Chaoyang Park Temple Fair demonstrates a combination of traditional Chinese New Year charm and exotic foreign elements, making it especially unique, attracting a large number of tourists each year. Aside from the wonderful performances by artists from other countries, the fair has introduced new activities utilizing new technology, which works to engage and interact with visitors further.

(Chinese) (English) (Japanese) (French)

The Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) Temple Fair has a long history, many exciting activities, including releasing animals back into the wild, night light shows, fire shows, opera and theatrical performances. Thanks to the exhibition of the history and culture of Yuanmingyuan and the Qing Dynasty culture brought to light through the years, visitors can fully experience the true New Year traditions of a “royal family”, the fair becoming one of the most “imperial” experiences in Beijing.

Other Temple Fairs Badachu Temple Fair

Shijingshan Amusement Park Temple Fair

Location: The Western Hills of Badachu Park

Location: Shijingshan Amusement Park

Tel:

86+01-88964661

Tel:

Website:

http://www.badachu.com.cn/

Website: http://www.bjsjsyly.com/

86+01-88925159/ 68862547

Baiyunguan Taoist Temple Fair Location: Beijing Fenghuangling Nature Park Time:

Starts first day of the lunar month and ends on the nineteenth day

Traffic:

114 Bus Route

8

Fun-filled Winter Activities

Passionate Winter Charming Beijing Aside from the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations and temple fairs, Beijing also has a variety of breathtaking ice and snow scenes to offer in addition to fun-filled activities, all contributing to give tourists a taste of Beijing’s unique charm in the winter. Once this century-old Imperial City is blanketed with a layer of flawlessly white snow, one can only stand riveted with fascination at the mysterious vibe and beauty it presents.

9

Snowy Imperial City Forbidden City As Beijing locals would say, visiting the Forbidden City during winter season is the best, even better when snow stops during the early afternoon -- as you can see snow covering its red walls and stone structures, highlighting its dignified presence, enhancing each detail of the royal residence, and the mystery behind Chinese history and culture, which lets tourists bask in its magnificence and atmosphere. Address: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Summer Palace

When it comes to viewing snow in the city, the Summer Palace is one place you can’t miss. As Wanshou Shan (Longevity Hill) is veiled with pure white snow, Kunming Lake gradually becomes frosted over, and as the cool wind rushes through the Long Corridor, you can almost imagine the old times when princesses’ laughter and chatter carried through the area, their conversations covering the latest stories and happenings of the city. Address: 19 Xinjiangongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Hutong A snowy day in hutongs truly accents its Old Beijing atmosphere, the sharpening of knives can be heard, and vendors pushing their trays of candied hawthorn sticks all become a part of the scenery. The Houhai area’s hutongs are best preserved, the most famous being Nanluoguxiang, with eight alleys coming parallel from the east and west, more often referred to as the “centipede street”. Address: Start of East Gulou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

10

Snowy Capital Skating

Among the many winter sports, skating happens to be the most traditional and popular. There are many well-known skating parks and indoor rinks that are fully equipped, some even provide sleds, sleighs or electric bumper cars and boats for visitors to relax and enjoy with their families. Popular Skating Rinks: Shichahai Ice Rink (Outdoors) —— Suitable for all ages Address: Qianhai Nanyan, Xicheng District, Beijing Summer Palace Ice Rink (Outdoors) —— The Largest Natural Rink Address: Summer Palace Western Lake, Haidian District, Beijing LeCool Skating Rink (Indoors) —— Shop and Play Address: B2/F, China World Shopping Centre, 1 Jianguomen Outer Street, Beijing

Skiing

In recent years, skiing has been recommended more and more by sports enthusiasts, and the ski resorts throughout Beijing are fully equipped to serve visitors during winter, providing dog sleds, snow saunas, glacier hiking and crossing, so that tourists can fully enjoy the speed and passion of winter. Popular Ski Locations: Yunfoshan Ski Resort —— International Standards Address: Xiwengzhuangzhen, Miyun District, Beijing Badaling Ski Resort —— Activity-packed Address: 66 Economic Development Zone, Badaling Town, Yanqing District, Beijing Beijing Jundushan Ski Resort —— Ski Performances Address: 588 Zhenshun Cun, Cuicun Zhen, Changping District, Beijing

Winter Festivals

As winter continues, ice and snow festivals around Beijing will be opened one after another, attracting tourists from all over the world to experience its joy. Many of these festivals, carnivals and the like vary, with an abundance of exciting themes, so that visitors can experience a full range of activities. Popular Winter Festivals: Bird’s Nest Happy Ice and Snow Carnival Address: Bird’s Nest National Stadium, 3 Anding Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Happy Valley Beijing Snow Carnival Address: Xiaowujibei Road, Dongsihuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing Yuyuantan Park Ice and Snow Festival Address: 8 Longtan Lake Park, Longtan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

11

Winter Sightseeing After snowstorms, there will be many scenic snow views in Beijing. Waterfalls which still retain their summer elements can freeze overnight, becoming crystal clear, stilling into spectacular icicles and falls, and with the sun reflecting its surfaces, it creates a shine so dazzling that visitors are attracted to sightsee these views, soaking in the beauty of Mother Nature.

12

Popular Iced Waterfall Sights Black Dragon Pool

Shuanglongxia Waterfall

Black Dragon Pool is a tourist spot in the suburbs of Beijing, and is located in a canyon northwest of Lupiguan (Deerskin Pass) in Shichengzhen, Miyun District. Once winter arrives, its three waterfalls and eighteen lakes become crystal clear, amassing various ice-hang states, the icicles and columns adding to the spectacular scene.

Mentougou District’s Shuanglongxia (Double Dragon Gorge) Scenic Spot is famous for the area’s starting point and ending waterfall, its iced appearance is as clear as the purest jade, looking spectacular every which way. There are various iced forms, shapes and undergrowth dotted along the waterfalls, adopting a unique look.

Address: Shichengzhen, Miyun District, Beijing

Address: Double-Dragon Scenic Area, Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Beijing

Popular Iced River Sights Baihe River Canyon

Guanting Reservoir

Located west of Miyun Reservoir, Baihe River Canyon is one of the most important gorges within Beijing, and is also a classic walking route during the winter. The frozen state of the river is like two white dragons lying down to rest, and coupled with its mountainsides narrowing on the spot, creates a quaint air of beauty.

Guanting Reservoir is located within the borders of Beijing’s Yanqing District, and is the first large-scale reservoir in China. When frozen over during the winter, the view presented is spectacular from east to west, and coupled with the windmills on the shore, it presents a vast natural beauty.

Address: Starting point is Yanqing District, Baihebao Reservoir and flows into the Miyun Reservoir

13

Address: Upstream of Yongding River, Yanqing District, Beijing

Popular Winter Activities

Immerse in New Traditions Festive Winter In addition to the Chinese New Year themed temple fairs and lively ice and snow activities, the capital also has a variety of new and emerging winter entertainment for visitors to explore. Whether it is going to ancient towns to gain a deeper insight into Chinese New Year traditions or heading to suburbs to participate in fruit-picking and similar activities, and enjoying luxurious hot springs, tourists can find their own enjoyment and experience the joys of traveling in Beijing.

14

Ancient Town New Year Celebrations

In order to experience the most traditional Chinese customs and enjoy Beijing’s authentic New Year celebrations, one must head to the suburban villages. Whether it’s the highhanging red lanterns, Chinese knots, couplets, riddles and other festive decorations, or stilts, folk dancing, juggling acts, lion dancing and other such activities, it will leave visitors with a strong impression that is truly unforgettable.

Recommended Ancient Towns

Gubei Water Town

Concentrated celebrations

Important Events: Ice sculpture appreciation, temple fair, Peking opera performances

Fangshan District

Village folk groups

Main Villages: Shuiyucun, Shuitoucun, Nanguancun, Banbidiancun, Qianhekoucun, etc.

15

Hot Springs Recommended Locations

As winter chills seep in, hot springs is the best therapy to relax the body and mind. A lot of hot spring resorts in Beijing offer different themes and healing remedies plus services, not only improving guests’ physical condition, but revives the body’s vitality and allows complete seclusion, so that the body and mind can completely enter a state of relaxation.

Jiuhua Spa & Resort Classical Imperial Garden Address: Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District, Beijing Website: http://www.bjjiuhuashanzhuang.com/

Long Mai Hot Spring Village Exotic Scenery Address: Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District, Beijing Website: http://www.beijinglongmai.com/

Hot Spring Leisure City Five Star Hot Spring Hotel Address: Hongfu Chuangyeyuan, Qijia Town, Changping District, Beijing Website: http://www.fdcdjc.com/

16

Next Volume Beijing by Night Stay tuned & Contact us if you have any travel products and services to share! Email: [email protected]

WeChat

Official website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Youtube

@visitbeijing @visitbeijing_12301

https://twitter.com/ beijingofficial

17

http://www.visitbeijing.com.cn/

https://www.instagram.com/ visit_beijing/

https://www.facebook.com/ BeijingChinaOfficial/

https://www.youtube.com/user/ visitbeijingofficial

17

B eijing M unicipal C ommission T ourism D evelopment

of