Today is the 8th day of the 12th lunar month. It is the traditional Chinese Laba Festival. As the saying goes, after Laba Festival comes the New Year. Laba Festival signals the approach of the Chinese New Year. It heralds the coming of the Spring Festival. Laba Festival, There are many folk customs. Do you know them all?

Folk customs

Laba congee

The history of drinking Laba congee in China dates back over a thousand years. People often start preparing for it the night before. The Laba congee is ready early in the morning. It can be eaten by the family or given as a gift to neighbors. The exchange of warm Laba congee is a continuation of warmth. It is a transmission of warmth and affection. 

Laba garlic

In the north, this is a good time to soak garlic for Laba Festival. Peel the garlic cloves, soak them in old vinegar, cover and wait. It is time to open the jar again on New Year's Eve. You can witness the magic of time.The garlic cloves are like jade, and the vinegar blends with the garlic fragrance. It is an excellent match for dumplings.

Laba Tofu

In the south, some families make Laba tofu. Round tofu pieces are coated with a layer of saltwater. A small hole is dug in the middle and filled with table salt. Then, the excess water is dried under mild sunlight. The salt gradually melts into the tofu.It is an unforgettable taste of hometown.

Tanzhe Temple

Tanzhe Temple has always had the tradition of giving Laba congee on the Laba Festival.

Come to Tanzhe Temple to have a bowl of Laba congee. It is also a custom for many old Beijingers. This year's Laba Festival. Tanzhe Temple continues this traditional custom. Bringing everyone hot Laba congee. The event will be held around 9:30 am on 7 January. 

Address: Tanzhe Temple Scenic Area, Tanze Temple Town, Mentougou

Hongluo Temple

On January 7th, Hongluo Temple used ingredients from all directions to cook a pot of hot Laba congee.

Hongluo Temple Laba Porridge is mainly made of glutinous rice, paired with small red beans, jujubes, Huairou special chestnuts, thousand-year-old ginkgo fruits, peanuts, lotus seeds, lily flowers and other eight ingredients. Among them, the thousand-year-old ginkgo fruit is the result of the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in front of the Great Hall of the Great Heroes. 

Address: No. 2 Hongluo Lu (Rd), Huairou

Yunju Temple

The traditional Laba Porridge of Yunju Temple, it has continued for hundreds of years. The common people from ten miles around all get up early in the morning. And drink a bowl of warm Laba congee. This year, Yunju Temple launched the porridge giving activity with the theme of "Warmly Welcoming the New Year with Strong Feelings for Laba Festival".

Address: South of Shuitou, Dashiwo, Fangshan

Beijing Folk Custom Museum

7 January, 9:30-11:00. Beijing Folk Custom Museum set up a porridge pot on the south gate square of Dongyue Temple. Citizens and tourists can taste Laba porridge at Dongyue Temple, feel the warm atmosphere of the traditional Laba Festival.

*Reminder: Laba congee is free to taste, but it is limited.

Address: No. 141 Chaoyangmenwai Jie(St), Chaoyang

Photo by: Wechat Official Accout: Tanzhe Temple, Hongluo Temple, Yunju Temple