Beijing Longfu Temple

Age: 550 years

Past Life: Longfu Temple is located to the west of Dongsi Beidajie. It was first built in the third year of the Jingtai era during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Ming Dynasty (1425) and was renovated in the ninth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1731). Situated in the eastern part of the city and facing Huguo Temple, it was commonly known as the "East Temple." Starting from the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Longfu Temple fair has long been

Beijing Charm: Savoring Famous Local Delicacies

Age: 550 years

Past Life: Longfu Temple is located to the west of Dongsi Beidajie. It was first built in the third year of the Jingtai era during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Ming Dynasty (1425) and was renovated in the ninth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1731). Situated in the eastern part of the city and facing Huguo Temple, it was commonly known as the "East Temple." Since the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Longfu Temple fair has been a renowned “money-burning” destination in the capital. By the late Qing Dynasty, the temple fair drew massive crowds. Nobles from nearby royal mansions, foreigners from the Dongjiaominxiang legation quarter, poor city residents, and farmers from the suburbs all came to join the festivities. After the Xinhai Revolution, commodity exchanges among the city’s four districts became even more frequent, making this temple fair arguably the largest in Beijing. A wide variety of local specialties could be purchased here, along with numerous Beijing-style snacks, and traditional folk operas could be enjoyed. As noted in the “Beijing Bamboo Branch Lyrics,” during the temple fair’s peak, “a million coins could be spent in a single day.”

Present Day: Today’s Longfu Temple Street is divided into eastern and western sections. The eastern section mainly consists of small clothing shops, while the western section features both snack stalls and clothing stores. Century-old establishments such as the Muslim-owned Bai Kui Restaurant, the iconic Dumpling King (Huntun Hou), and the time-honored Fengnian Stuffed Intestine Shop are all located within close proximity. Remember not to fill up at one place—save room to sample all three one after another. One notable trait of Beijing snacks is that each comes with its own unique accompaniments: Douzhi (fermented mung bean drink) must be paired with spicy pickled vegetables; fried stuffed intestine calls for garlic sauce; and stir-fried tripe is best enjoyed with sesame paste and chili oil... In truth, savoring authentic Beijing snacks is a way to reminisce about old Beijing culture. Here, you can revel in nostalgia for that bygone era while also feeling the pulse of modern trends...

Location: 100 meters north of the intersection of Wusi Street and East Meishuguan Street, on the east side

Highlight: Longfu Temple Snacks