Shanghai Longhua Temple Fair

About

The Shanghai Longhua Temple Fair is one of the city's most vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations, transforming this historic Buddhist temple into a festive wonderland of traditional performances, folk crafts, and delicious street food. Families will be immersed in authentic Chinese New Year culture with dragon dances, acrobatic shows, lantern displays, and interactive activities that bring ancient traditions to life. It's a perfect opportunity for kids to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of one of China's most important festivals in a family-friendly atmosphere.

What to Expect

Families will encounter a bustling, colorful fair filled with hundreds of stalls selling traditional handicrafts, toys, and New Year decorations alongside continuous cultural performances including lion dances, traditional opera, and acrobatics. The temple grounds become crowded with locals and visitors participating in incense-burning rituals, prayer ceremonies, and folk games. Children will love the carnival-like atmosphere with traditional games, colorful lanterns hanging everywhere, and performers in elaborate costumes. Expect large crowds, especially during peak hours, with a sensory-rich environment of temple bells, firecrackers, and festival music creating an unforgettable cultural experience.

Highlights for Kids

• Spectacular dragon and lion dances with colorful costumes, drums, and acrobatics that mesmerize children
• Traditional folk games and activities where kids can try their hand at ring toss, diabolo spinning, and other ancient Chinese games
• Vibrant handicraft stalls selling traditional toys like spinning tops, paper lanterns, clay figurines, and calligraphy demonstrations
• Elaborate lantern displays throughout the temple grounds that create magical photo opportunities, especially beautiful during dusk
• Street performers including sugar painting artists who create edible sculptures, dough figurine makers, and paper-cutting masters demonstrating their crafts

Pro Tips for Families

1. Download a translation app before arriving as most vendors and signage use Chinese only; learning a few basic Mandarin phrases like 'xièxiè' (thank you) will enhance your experience and delight locals
2. Arrive early in the morning (within first hour of opening) to avoid peak crowds and secure better photo opportunities at the temple's photogenic spots before they become packed
3. Bring small denomination RMB cash (1, 5, and 10 yuan notes) as most vendors don't accept foreign credit cards; WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used but require Chinese bank accounts
4. Keep children close and consider dressing them in bright colors for easy spotting in crowds; establish a meeting point near the temple entrance and take a photo of your child at the start in case you get separated

Best Time to Visit

Visit early morning right when the fair opens (typically 7-8 AM) for a more manageable crowd experience and cooler temperatures, especially important for families with younger children. The first few days of the Lunar New Year tend to be most crowded, so consider attending mid-week during the fair's run if possible. Morning hours also offer better lighting for photos and fresher food options, while late afternoon brings more elaborate performances but significantly larger crowds and longer wait times at food stalls.

Food & Drinks

The fair features dozens of food stalls offering traditional Shanghai and Chinese New Year treats including tangyuan (sweet rice balls), niangao (sticky rice cake), candied hawthorn on sticks, roasted chestnuts, and various dumplings. Kid-friendly options include sweet pastries, fresh fruit skewers, steamed buns with sweet fillings, and fried snacks, though parents should note that many foods may be unfamiliar to Western palates. Bottled water and drinks are available throughout, but bring hand wipes as seating and handwashing facilities are limited. Be adventurous but start with milder options for picky eaters, and avoid extremely spicy items unless your children are accustomed to them.

Parking & Access

Taking the Shanghai Metro is highly recommended over driving—exit at Longhua Station (Lines 3, 11, or 12) and follow signs for a 5-10 minute walk to the temple entrance. Parking near the temple is extremely limited during the fair and surrounding streets become congested, making driving stressful for families. Strollers are not recommended due to dense crowds and uneven temple pathways; baby carriers or keeping young children walking are better options. Taxis and ride-sharing apps (Didi) are alternatives, but expect traffic delays and higher fares during peak festival times. The temple itself has stairs and traditional architecture with elevated thresholds, making wheelchair accessibility challenging.