[Photo from Xinhuanet.com]

Between late January and mid-February

Marking the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, this is when Beijing is at its most colorful. People decorate their shops and homes with messages of good fortune and paste protective images of gods at their doorways to scare away evil spirits. Firecrackers, drums banging and colorful costumes are prevalent throughout the two-week festival.

Of particular interest to visitors, temple fairs, often held from the first to the seventh day of the first lunar month, are an interesting concoction of acrobatics, spiritualism and good-fortune games. Pick either Ditan Park or the Taoist Baiyun Guan (White Cloud Temple) for the biggest fairs in the city. Fairs are also held at Longtanhu Yuan (Dragon Lake Park), and near Liulichang Culture Street, just south of the Beijing Subway's Hepingmen Station.

The folk handcraft lunar new year painting, which is used for blessing and ringing in the Chinese lunar new year, is one of the most popular forms of artwork among Chinese families. It is originated from the paintings of ancient doorkeepers, and is believed to repel evils when posted on the door of a home. At the same time, the painting can decorate the house, bringing happiness and joy to the family.