Changdian Temple

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Changdian Temple Fair

Applicant: Xuanwu District, Beijing

Item No.: 490

Project No.: Ⅹ - 42

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Beijing

Type: new item

Applicant: Xuanwu District, Beijing

Protection unit: Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center of Xicheng District, Beijing

Brief introduction of Changdian Temple Fair

Applicant: Xuanwu District, Beijing

Changdian temple fair in Xuanwu District of Beijing began in Jiajing of Ming Dynasty, flourished in Kangxi of Qing Dynasty and flourished in Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. In 1918, after rectification by the municipal authorities, it was officially determined that temple fairs would be held in Changdian and Haiwang village parks from the first to the 15th day of the first month of each year, becoming the only official Spring Festival temple fair in the old capital. Around 1945, Changdian temple fair was almost "broken temple with lamp". After liberation in 1949, temple fairs were held at the intersection of Hepingmen and Hufangqiao from the first day to the 15th day of the first lunar month every year. In 1960, it was once interrupted by natural disasters. In 1963, the city government reopened Changdian temple fair, which caused a sensation in the city. Because of road construction and cultural revolution, Changdian temple fair was closed.

Changdian Temple Fair has lasted for more than 400 years. It has gone through the evolution process of the folk custom activities of visiting Changdian during the Spring Festival, from sacrifice to Temple market to book market. It is known as the combination of elegance and popularity, business and entertainment. Changdian temple fair in history starts from Hepingmen in the north, liangjiayuan in the south, nanbeiliuxiang in the west, yanshousi street in the East, with Xinhua Street, Haiwang village, huoshentemple and luzu temple as the core area, and Liulichang East Street as the main "changdongmen". As Changdian temple fair is nearest to the city center, it is a place where men, women, old and young from all walks of life vie to visit in the old Chinese New Year. "Changdian Ji" in the reign of Emperor Guangxu said: "it's usually empty and inaccessible; in the first month, the city's gentlewomen, such as tea clouds, car carrying hand in hand, come in an endless stream."

Changdian temple fair, with its long history, grand scale and open form, especially its distinctive cultural characteristics of Beijing flavor, has become a window and platform to display Beijing folk culture and Xuannan culture. It is a grand stage for the gathering of fine folk culture and art from all over the country. It has profound cultural heritage and extensive social significance, and is deeply loved by the majority of people in Beijing It has attracted the active participation of many traditional folk projects and excellent folk artists, resulting in increasing social and economic benefits.

In 2001, the first spring of the new century, Changdian temple fair, after 37 years away from the capital, appeared in front of the people in the capital with a brand-new look, profound cultural connotation and elegant cultural taste. It became a landmark temple fair in Beijing at one stroke, making this long-standing cultural activity continue to be inherited.