Temple fairs are a Beijing custom that dates back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). In the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), the bustling temple fair in Chenghuangmiao (Temple of the City God) Street -- present-day Chengfang Street -- Became particularly famous. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), temple fairs became widespread, and under the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) their numbers further increased. After the Revolution of 1911, however, large permanent markets were established and temple fairs gradually disappeared.

Temple fairs were said to have their origins in the ancient 'she sacrifice.' A she was where sacrifices to the local God of Earth were offered. Altars of the Gods of Earth and Grain were also known as Earth Temples. It is from gatherings that took place at these temples that temple fairs derived their name.

In Beijing, temple fairs were held in turn every 10 days at the Earth Temple, the Flower Market, the White Pagoda Temple, the Huguo (Protect the Nation) Temple and the Longfu (Intense Happiness) Temple. There was also the annual Changdian (Factory Grounds) Fair held during the first 15 days of the first lunar month and the annual Pantaogong (Peach of Immortality Palace) Fair held from the third day of the third lunar month inside the Dongbianmen (Eastern Informal) Gate. The fairs mentioned above took place regularly for over 300 years.

The Longfu Mansion, established more than 30 years ago, stands on the site of the old Longfu (Intense Happiness) Temple. The temple, built during the reign of Emperor Jingtai of the Ming Dynasty in 1452, had the largest pair of temple gates in Beijing. The temple was composed of five courtyards, each with a large central hall connected by long galleries. A large part of the temple was destroyed in 1900 when the Eight-power Allied Forces invaded Beijing.

Visitors to the temple fairs included both city folk and peasants from the outlying regions. Customers could buy a variety of locally made products such as 'Gold Elephant Zhang's' double-edged combs, 'Iron Knife Liu's' fruit knives and 'Sanheju' wigs, as well as second-hand clothes, jewelry and cloth, bamboo and wicker products, flowers, birds, fish and insects. Nowadays, the Longfu Bazaar, with an area of over 4,700 square meters, is one of the biggest shopping centers in Beijing. 

2006/01/29
Source: China.org.cn