Miaohui, literally temple gatherings or usually translated as temple fairs, are Chinese religious gatherings held by folk temples for the worship of the Chinese gods and immortals. Large-scale Temple Fairs are usually held around the time of the Spring Festival.

With societal evolution and cultural changes, the features of Temple Fairs also vary from time to time. For instance, in the Han Dynasty, as Buddhism and Taoism has gradually formed, temple fair became a way to attract more newcomers to their community through performances.

Activities usually include rituals celebrated in the temple, opera on a stage facing the temple, processions of the gods' images on carts throughout villages and cities, performance of musical and ritual troupes, blessing of offerings brought to the temple by families, and various economic activities. Besides, various foods and snacks selling in the Temple Fairs are also an attractive part for people, especially for children to join in.

Geography and local customs lead to great differences in the nature of festivals dedicated to the gods. In northern China, Temple Fairs are usually week-long, with ceremonies held in large temples, and attended by tens of thousands of people; while in southern China, they are a much more local practice, organized by village temples or clusters of temples of different villages. Globally, there are also many other places such as Malaysia which has such temple fair with similar forms and activities.

These year, however, affected by the COVID-19. people cannot meet each other as usual. But there are still many online Temple Fair activities for you to explore and enjoy!

Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks has organized "the Spring Festival Park Tour", inviting everyone to join the 10 Chinese New Year lives, 15 virtual tours, 30 sections of online classes, etc., within the 7-day holiday.

A total of 11 parks in Beijing will be involved in this year's "online carnival".