The Spring Festival holiday offers you a great chance for an unforgettable encounter with intangible cultural heritage in Beijing. Traditional craftsmanship, classic performing arts and authentic local flavors...everything is a cultural treasure polished by time.
Follow this guide for a holiday full of cultural discoveries!
[Photo via Beijing Enamel Factory]
Craftsmanship of Jingtailan
Jingtailan (cloisonné) originated in the Jingtai period (1450–1457) of the Ming Dynasty. Its production process is intricate and highly refined, resulting in an artistic style that is rich and dignified, opulent yet elegant.
Recommended Venue
Beijing Enamel Factory (Cloisonné Art Museum of China)
Opening Hours
09:00–16:30 (Closed on February 16 and 17)
Address
10 Anlelin Road, Dongcheng District
Flower Tea-Making (Wuyutai's Craftsmanship of Jasmine Tea)
Wuyutai Tea Shop dates back to the Guangxu period (1875–1908) of the Qing Dynasty. Its jasmine tea is produced through special techniques and strict leaf-selection standards, resulting in a unique flavor.
Recommended Venue
Wuyutai Tea Shop (Qianmen Street Branch)
Opening Hours
08:30–21:00 (Check its official notice for opening hours during the Spring Festival holiday.)
Address
42 Qianmen Street, Dongcheng District (east entrance of Xianyukou)
Making Technique of Roast Duck (Quanjude's Craftsmanship of Hang-Roasted Ducks)
Quanjude was founded in 1864. Its hang-roasted ducks are favored for crispy skins, tender meat, an appealing color, and enticing smell. Quanjude's pioneering "Whole Duck Banquet" offers a full-course dining experience centered on roast ducks.
Recommended Venue
Quanjude (Qianmen Branch)
Opening Hours
11:40–14:30, 16:30–21:00 (From February 10 to March 4: 11:30–14:00)
Address
30 Qianmen Street, Dongcheng District
Beef and Mutton Cooking Techniques (Donglaishun's Craftsmanship of Instant-Boiled Mutton)
Founded in 1903, Donglaishun is now a symbol of the culture of northern Chinese hot pots. Its instant-boiled mutton technique combines multiple steps, such as lamb selection and slicing, hot pot preparation, sweet garlic making, and sauce blending, creating its signature flavors and styles.
Recommended Venue
Donglaishun Restaurant (Wangfujing Pedestrian Street Branch)
Opening Hours
11:00–21:30 (Check its official notice for opening hours during the Spring Festival holiday.)
Address
542-547, 5F, Beijing APM, 138 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
Peking Opera
Peking Opera is regarded as a national treasure of Chinese performing arts. From February 17 to 19, Jixiang Theater and Jingju Theater Company of Beijing will jointly present six splendid performances (two everyday) by renowned artists.
Recommended Venue
Jixiang Theater
Opening Hours
Subject to the specific arrangement of the day
Address
7F, Yintai in88, 88 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
Tong Ren Tang's Culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Beijing Tong Ren Tang is a renowned time-honored brand in China's traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry. Tong Ren Tang Zhima Health, an innovative extension of the brand, blends TCM with modern technologies. It offers hands-on experiences such as making sachets and medicinal pillows, serving as a benchmark for revitalizing the TCM culture in contemporary settings.
Recommended Venue
Tong Ren Tang Zhima Health No. 0 Store
Opening Hours
09:30–19:00 (Check its official notice for opening hours during the Spring Festival holiday.)
Address
Daxing Industrial Base of Tong Ren Tang Health Pharmaceuticals, 39 Simiao Road, Daxing District
Yidege's Ink-Making Technique
Yidege ink is known for its glossy finish, quick drying, and a rich, distinctive ink aroma. The production process consists of eight intricately linked stages, involving over 100 steps, all essential to achieving an excellent final quality.
Recommended Venue
Yidege (Liulichang Cultural Street Branch)
Opening Hours
09:00–17:00
Address
25 Nanxinhua Street, Liulichang, Xicheng District
Refosian's Traditional Chinese Garment Craftsmanship
Refosian offers a one-stop service for traditional Chinese garment making, from material selection to final tailoring. Its craftsmanship has been passed down for over a century, showcasing distinctive Beijing-style aesthetics.
Recommended Venue
Refosian (Dashilan Branch)
Opening Hours
09:30–20:30, Monday–Sunday (Check its official notice for opening hours during the Spring Festival holiday.)
Address
5 Dashilan Street, Dongcheng District
Sculpting and Coloring Techniques of Peking Opera Masks
The Peking Opera masks vividly recreate the stage images of opera performers with their striking three-dimensional form and vivid designs. Their diverse shapes and intricate paintings reflect rich cultural connotations.
Recommended Venue
Haidian District Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Center (North Hall)
Opening Hours
09:00–17:00 (Closed on Mondays except for public holidays)
Address
28 Daoxianghu Road, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District
Gubeikou's Lantern Making Techniques
Jiankuntang Lantern Workshop preserves the traditional "shop in the front, workshop in the back" layout. Visitors can watch artisans making lanterns of various shapes by hand and even try making traditional lanterns themselves here.
Recommended Venue
Jiankuntang Lantern Workshop
Opening Hours
09:00–22:30, Sunday–Thursday
09:00–23:00, Friday–Saturday
Address
Shuijie Historical Scenic Area, Beijing WTown, Simatai Village, Miyun District
(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural and Tourism)