Chinese people are gearing up to celebrate the first Spring Festival since it was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. During this joyous holiday, everyone is welcome to experience unexpected encounters and discover the unique charm of Beijing's World Cultural Heritage Sites.

The Great Wall

Badaling Great Wall has launched a series of night tours during the Spring Festival holiday, integrating traffic services, special local dishes, photography services, creative cultural gifts and more. By integrating intangible cultural heritages, interactive experiences and unique gastronomical offerings, the tours are aimed at creating a festive and culturally rich ambiance for tourists. Highlights include festive performances of intangible cultural heritage items like yangge and hanchuan (dry-boat) dances, a ceremonial light show featuring hanfu (the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group), and DIY sessions associated with folk handicrafts.

The Forbidden City

The architectural complex of the Forbidden City embodies the 5,000-year history and culture of China, making it one of the most prestigious cultural heritage sites in China and the world at large. It is also the largest museum of ancient culture and art in China, with its collection primarily consisting of artifacts from the palaces of the Qing Dynasty (1616–1911).

Recommended Spring Festival Exhibition in the Forbidden City:

Jade from the Kunlun Mountains: Special Exhibition on Hetian Jade Culture in the Qing Court

Venue: Exhibition hall in the Palace of Abstinence 

Time: January 7, 2025 - January 4, 2026 【currently underway】

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, is recognized as one of the four most famous gardens in the country. During the Spring Festival period, the Pavilion of the Fragrance of Buddha will be illuminated at night, highlighting the resplendent details of the Chinese classical garden architecture. Changguantang (Changguan Hall) will host experience activities involving woodblock printing, where visitors can print the Chinese character "Fu" (福, which means "good fortune") by themselves.

Beijing Central Axis

In July 2024, Beijing's Central Axis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This 7.8-kilometer-long central axis stretches from the Bell and Drum Towers in the north to Yongding Gate in the south, running through the core area of the old part of Beijing. During the Spring Festival holiday, a variety of activities will be held along the Central Axis, such as Dongyue Temple Fair and Shichahai Ice and Snow Carnival. Visitors can walk along the axis to discover the historical changes and cultural charm of Beijing.

Temple of Heaven Park

The Temple of Heaven Park is the largest existing ancient sacrificial architectural complex in China. Here, you can walk around for the gorgeous views of the exquisite ancient buildings and experience the traditional Chinese culture. During the Spring Festival, the park will host a series of interactive intangible cultural heritage activities under the theme of "Greeting Spring with Intangible Cultural Heritage, Good Fortune Filling the Temple of Heaven". There will also be a series of online and offline performances with the theme "Ancient Rhymes Resound in the Temple of Heaven", bringing classic imperial music pieces that were performed in the Temple of Heaven during ancient times to visitors, allowing them to experience the cultural heritage of Yayue (a form of classical music performed at the imperial court and temples in ancient China).

(Sources: Visit Beijing, Beijing Fabu, Xinhuanet)