Beijing Travel Forum

I'm going to be in Beijing from February 16th to March 2nd. Can anyone recommend anything that is going on during that time?

1) See firework on the evening of Feb 17, 2007 ( on the eve of Chinese new year ). Starting from 2006, people in Beijing are allowed to play firework on the eve of Chinese new year and during the week-long daytime. Firecrackers and fireworks are believed to be able to wipe out bad luck and bring happinese and fortune for the coming new year. So on the eve of Chinese new year, you will find Beijing in the sea of firework!!

2) Lots of temple fairs during spring festiaval:
The temple fairs in Beijing date back to around 1000 AD, when they were called "Spring Outings". They steadily developed through successive dynasties of the Yuan, Ming and Qing. Now visiting temple fairs has become a Spring Festival routine for local people in Beijing as well as tourists. Activities and events during the fair will include folk performances,traditional arts, a food street. Please find below the important temple fairs:

Ditan Park Fair:
Location: About 100 meters to the north of the Lama Temple or Lama Temple Subway Station.
How to get there: Yonghegong (Lama Temple) subway, bus 13, 116 and 62 for the south gate; trolley bus 104, 108, or bus 27, 358, 119, 407, 328, 803 or 912 for the west gate.
Fair time: Feb 18th to February 25.
Ticket: 10 yuan ( about 1.25 USD ).

Baiyunguan Temple Fair:
It is the biggest temple fair of west city, the only temple fair held in a temple. Baiyunguan is a Taoist temple that is more than 1,000 years old.
Location: Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District.
How to get there: Bus routes 320 or 414 to Baiyunguan Station or 114, 308 or 937 to Baiyunlu.
Fair time: Feb 18th to February 25.
Ticket: 10 yuan (about 1.25 USD)

Changdian Temple Fair:
The Changdian Temple Fair is often a favorite outing for Beijing locals during the Lunar New Year. The fair is popular among foreigners.
Location: Liulichang Jie, Xuanwu District.
Fair time: Feb 18th to February 25.
Ticket: Free.

Longtanhu Temple Fair:
Fair events here resemble those in Ditan.
Location: Zuoanmennei Dajie, Chongwen District.
How to get there: Bus routes 807, 12, 6, 60 or 116
Fair time: Feb 18th to February 25.
Ticket: 10 yuan ( about 1.25 USD ).

Dongyue Temple Fair:
Dongyue is one of the oldest temple fairs in Beijing, starting during the Yuan Dynasty and having its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
How to get there: Bus routes 101, 109, 110, 112, 750, 846 or 813 to Shenlu Jie or 600 meters east of Chaoyangmen subway station (line 2).
Fair time: Feb 18th to February 25.
Ticket: 10 yuan (about 1.25 USD).

Daguanyuan Temple Fair:
This temple fair will be held at Grand View Park, a replica of the magnificent Daguanyuan garden of an imperial family depicted in th noted Chinese novel A Dream of Red Mansions by Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin (17l5-l763).
how to get there: Bus routes 59, 19, 819, 56, 122 or 423 to Daguanyuan.
Fair time: January 29th to February 3rd.
Ticket: 10 yuan (about 1.25 USD).

Lotus Pond Temple Fair:
It is located near Beijing West Railway Station, the Lotus Pond (Lianhuachi) Park is regarded as the birthplace of the city of Beijing, with a history of over 3,000 years. The temple fair here is quite traditional, with more than 100 events going on to make the park an ideal place to enjoy Chinese folk arts and food.
Fair time: January 29th to February 3rd.
Ticket: Free

3) Skiing and see ice carving:
You can enjoy ice carving at Yanqing, not far from Badaling Great Walll. There are totally 10 large ski resorts located in the outskirts of the city of Beijing. They are Beijing Badaling Ski Resort, Beijing Shijinglong Ski Slopes Resort, Beijing Snow-world Ski Resort, Beijing Jundushan Ski Resort,Beijing Lianhuashan Ski Resort, Beijing Huaibei International Ski Resort, Beijing Jindinghu Ski Resorts, Beijing Yunfoshan Ski Resort, Beijing Nanshan Ski Resort, Beijing Yuyang Ski Resort. Quoted from www.tour-beijing.com

Thanks for all the information :)