Changdian Temple Fair in Beijing’s Xuanwu District has had a chequered history. It started during the reign of Jiajing (Ming Dynasty), expanded during the reign of Kangxi and thrived during the reign of Qianlong, (both of the Qing Dynasty). In the seventh year of the Republic of China (A.D 1918), the Fair was reformed by the municipal authority, to be held from the first to the fifth day of the first month of the lunar New Year, and based in Changdian and Hai Wangcun Park, when it became the unique official Spring Festival Fair. Changdian Temple Fair was almost closed down around 1945. After the liberation of China in 1949, the Temple Fair was held between Heping Gate and the intersection of Hufang Bridge during the first fifteen days of the first lunar month. However, it was discontinued following a natural disaster in 1960. By 1963, the municipal government reopened it, creating a great sensation in the city. It later closed down during the road repairs and the Cultural Revolution.
Changdian has survived for almost four hundred years. It evolved from a sacred place to temple fair, to book fair, and finally to a place where all kinds of cultural and business activities during the Spring Festival attracted thousands of people and vendors. Thus the fair became a place that appeals both to both popular and more urbane tastes, suitable for both young and old. Historically Changdian Temple Fair was located between Hepingmen and Liangjiayuan from north to south and between Nanbeiliu Alley and Yanshousi Street from west to east, with Xinhua Street, Hangwang village, Huoshen Temple and Lvzu Temple in the center, while the main fair activities took place near Changdong Gate, i.e East Street of Liulichang. Since the Changdian Temple Fair is the nearest fair to the downtown area, it has had a major appeal to all ages of all social classes in Beijing to visit during the first lunar month. As recorded in the ChangDianJi (a special book recording the Changdian development): “Changdian is unfrequented, few people travel to this place. However, it becomes a lively place thronged with all kinds of people and carriages during the first lunar month.”
With its long history, open form and giant scale, and especially representative of the distinctive cultural features of Ancient Beijing, Changdian Temple Fair has become a window into Beijing folk culture, Xuannan culture and that of further places in China, thus endearing itself to the majority of Beijing people. It attracts many artists who are expert in various traditional items, and overall is a wonderful showcase for traditional Chinese craft. This in turn provides increasing social and economic benefits to all concerned.
In 2001, the first spring of the new century, Changdian Temple Fair was reborn, 37 years after being shut down, with a new look, strong cultural priorities and exquisite taste. Thus it has become a symbolic Temple Fair of Beijing, combining cultural activity with a strong historic tradition, and ensuring the future preservation of such events.
