Spring Festival an opportunity to experience traditions
Until recently Beijing retained a surviving street fair, the Changdian. Historically it was a popular outing for the city's residents during the Spring Festival. Changdian, actually a small street, would combine with other alleys including Liulichang and surrounding lanes over the holiday period. This created a large market and events area crowded with thousands of people buying festive gifts including children's toys, handmade curios, trading paintings or calligraphy works. They sat at bustling food stalls or watched performances by troupes of artists from other provinces. It was also a popular place to browse for antiques. The last time I visited Changdian, the fair had relocated. Xinhua Nanjie today is a busy north-south thoroughfare which had to be closed to traffic throughout the festival. Consequently the event has been moved south, to Taoranting Park.
