Splendid China Temple Fair at the China Folk Culture Village
Although not widely seen as a tourist attraction for Hongkongers, Shenzhen houses a large theme park, China Folk Culture Village, which unveiled the largest temple fair in the country earlier this year.
A popular fair across China that attracts thousands of visitors every year, the Splendid China Temple Fair features an array of activities, such as themed carnivals and parade performances as well as various other tourist attractions. The fair takes place at the Splendid China Folk Village, which is a theme park featuring scenes with a cultural significance throughout China’s illustrious history. These include miniature versions of notable attractions in China, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army.
So what exactly does the Temple Fair entail? Showcasing 26 Chinese New Year customs from different cultures within the country, the performances at the fair include traditional musical routines and folk dances from various ethnic minorities in China. Over 100 exhibition stands presenting China’s unique culture are also presented to visitors, while of course it wouldn’t be a Chinese New Year celebration without dragon and lion dances—with some fire-breathing thrown in for good measure.
If you’re a fan of stage shows, you’re sure to enjoy the opera performances also on offer. Award-winning pieces shown include “New Oriental Apparel” and “Dancing with Dragon and Phoenix,” among others. And if strolling around the 300,000-square-meter park isn't enough for you, there are plenty of other attractions. Five new attractions added to the park this year include The Stairway to Dragon, which uses 3D IMAX cinema to showcase China’s five thousand years of history; and the Ecological Corridors Quest, which features various flowers that grow in picturesque Yunnan province’s Sanjiang region.
Getting There
The Lok Ma Chau MTR station leads into Shenzhen; the park is then a 10 minute drive away from the station.
Where to stay