longfu tample [Beijing]

The Longfu 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.

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. There were also stalls selling all kinds of traditional Beijing snacks.

In Beijing, Temple fairs custom can date far back to the Liao dynasty (916-1125). It became more and more famous in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). While during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), it was very flourish. 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. Later on other than just sacrifice, it developed as a regular market, where people could eat and shopping there. 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 or jewelry, bamboo and wicker products, flowers, birds, fish and insects.

In Ancient time, 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. (more…)