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Royal garden to hold first temple fair
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Beijing's imperial garden -- Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace -- will hold the first temple fair in its long and storied history. "Experiencing Chinese Royal Life" is the theme for the site's 2010 Year of the Tiger Spring Festival celebration.
Yuanmingyuan is decorated with lanterns and flags sporting dragon designs that signify both royal lineage and Manchu heritage. A 500-meter-long trading street will be opened for tourists to experience for themselves the lives enjoyed by imperial court officials and their families while shopping at temple fairs hundreds of years ago.
The festive atmosphere has prompted some to question whether a commercial event is appropriate in a location of such historic significance. Some observers say the solemnity will be destroyed should such a casual affair be held there. But this viewpoint is not shared by the organizer.
Ma Xiaolin, vice director of Yuanmingyuan Administrative Office, said, "According to regulations, Yuanmingyuan Relics Park has four primary functions, one is sightseeing. Holding a temple fair fits into this regulation."
Ma says that the routes and activity venues were decided upon after very serious consideration. The temple fair will follow the principles of protecting cultural relics and honoring the vicinity.
Organizers say the royal temple fair aims to build a bridge between tradition and contemporary life. The educational function of the park will be best served by a large crowd stopping by to learn more about imperial culture at the peak of the Qing Dynasty.
Professor Guo Daiheng, Tsinghua University, said, "Yuanmingyuan is a cultural carrier in many ways. There were many trading streets in history. Ministers and nobles attended quite often. It's a recorded fact."
The general opinion toward a royal temple fair has been mostly positive. Most visitors consider the fair a worthwhile addition to their holiday activities.
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