On June 19, the 2026 Shichahai International Food Fair (什刹海国际美食展) was unveiled at the Lotus Market in Shichahai. This event features a variety of flavors from various canal cities around the world and time-honored delicacies from Beijing. Visitors can also learn about the traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival. At this cultural and tourism fair, visitors can taste international flavors, appreciate the charm of local lifestyles, and learn more about intangible cultural heritage.

The event will remain open to the public for free from 11:00 to 21:00 daily until October 25.

At the event, there's a lineup of classic foods from canal cities around the world, including German coiled bratwurst and other sausages sizzling over charcoal fires, Mexican chicken wraps and chili-bean hot dogs full of spices, hearty Russian meat skewers with a bold and robust taste, and creamy Italian gelato offering a cool respite from the summer heat.

The local flavors are equally impressive. The "Time-Honored Beijing Snack Pop-Up" (京味老字号快闪) zone has drawn huge crowds, where Beibingyang (a time-honored brand of China, which is known for its beverages) teams up with the Lotus Market to create a nostalgic "Orange Wall" (橘色城墙) themed setting. A limited-edition co-branded orange soda has made its debut, while the classic old-fashioned "soda slush trick" has been recreated on-site. In addition, fresh Hainan coconuts, Huaitai tofu (stuffed tofu), and other regional snacks from across China have been brought together around the lake, blending diverse flavors in a lively, bustling atmosphere.

What's more, the 2026 "He Zhi Duan" cultural series (2026 “河之端”系列文化活动) will roll out a summer-autumn cultural tourism season centered around "competitions, conferences, exhibitions, performances, and tours". Upcoming highlights include a dragon boat carnival, a twin-city exhibition titled "From Shichahai to the Seine" (从什刹海到塞纳河), and the "Shichahai - Sound and Light Gala" (什刹海·声光幻境) lakefront concert, all designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Grand Canal.

Tips

Location: Lotus Market, Shichahai

Dates: Until October 25 (11:00–21:00)

Admission: Free entry; separate fees will be charged for hands-on events and foods

Transportation: Take Subway Line 6 to Beihai Bei (N) Station (Exit B) and walk to the Lotus Market of Shichahai.

(Source: Beijing Xicheng)