In the market, various goods are displayed in the open air. Spring comes and everything looks fresh. The ancient fairs in ancient towns also return. Come to these ancient towns to visit the big fair together!

Yongning Ancient Town

The Yongning Ancient Town was built in the fifth year of Ming Xuande, with a typical checkerboard pattern of streets and alleys, four gates with four barbicans, and moats around the city.

In the center of the cross street in the town is the landmark building, the Jade Emperor Pavilion, built in the eighteenth year of Tang Zhenguan. The Jade Emperor Pavilion is more than 20 meters high, with three floors and four sides, and the statue of the Jade Emperor about two meters high is enshrined in the pavilion.

There is a bell tower built 50 meters away from the pavilion on East Street, and a drum tower built 50 meters away on West Street.  

Yongning Ancient Town has a unique style and many temples, including 44 magnificent and elaborate temples including Xida Temple, Zhenwu Temple, Dongyue Temple, Qianfo Temple, Confucius Temple, Lvzu Temple, Guandi Temple, etc., as well as several ancient opera buildings. In the Qing Dynasty, a Catholic church was built on South Street, where French missionaries used to preach.

Address: Yongning Ancient Town, Changchi Road, Yanqing District, Beijing

Yongning Fair 

Yongning Fair is the oldest, largest and most active surviving bazaar in Yanqing District, Beijing, originating in the Ming Dynasty and flourishing in the late Qing dynasty.

The Yongning Fair has changed with the times and some folk customs have been kept for a long time. The prosperous commercial culture, unique folk flower shows, and sacrifice and blessing customs have become inseparable parts of the Yongning Fair. They have been passed down from generation to generation and become a unique market culture.

At the Yongning Fair, there are Tanghulu, frozen begonia fruits, Lvdagun, dried sweet potatoes, hawthorn cakes, sticky bean buns, and a variety of delicacies. Of course, flatbread and tofu are indispensable. As the saying goes, Yongning has two treasures, flatbread and tofu. So, when coming to visit Yongning Fair, you must take the opportunity to taste the flatbread and tofu sold in the market.

Opening time: Every morning

Address: Yongning Ancient Town, Changchi Road, Yanqing District, Beijing

Translator: BAO Minmin

Reviewer: ZHANG Ruochen