Experience the vibrant atmosphere of China's most important holiday in Beijing. Streets are filled with decorations, and traditional dragon dances take place throughout the city, creating a lively and festive environment. Visit the Temple Fair to see traditional performances and enjoy local snacks.

Wander through the narrow alleys of Beijing’s historic hutongs to get a glimpse of traditional residential life. These alleys are filled with small local shops and old courtyard homes that showcase the city's architectural past. Taking a rickshaw ride offers a more convenient way to explore these areas.

Attend a Peking Opera to see a unique blend of singing, acting, and acrobatics with beautiful costumes and makeup. The storytelling often reflects Chinese folklore and historical events. Choose a venue like Liyuan Theatre for an authentic experience.

Participate in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, where you'll learn about different types of tea and Chinese drinking etiquette. The experience offers a meditative way to enjoy tea while appreciating cultural traditions. Try this at authentic tea houses around the city.

A hands-on experience, learn the art of Chinese calligraphy, which is a reflection of Chinese culture and philosophy. These classes can be found at cultural centers or private studios. It's a great way to appreciate Chinese language and artistry.

Join locals in their morning tai chi exercises in the park of Temple of Heaven, an ancient Chinese practice that incorporates martial arts and meditation. The harmonious movements are said to improve health and longevity.

During traditional festivals, especially the Spring Festival, visit these fairs where you can see Chinese handicrafts, folk performances, and traditional snacks. The fairs are a great way to immerse yourself in festive activities in a cultural setting.

Explore traditional markets such as Sanyuanli Market, where you can find a variety of local produce and ingredients that define Beijing cuisine. Tasting fresh dumplings, fermented tofu, and regional delicacies is a must.

Visit a clinic to learn about TCM practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy. These methods reflect ancient Chinese health principles and are still widely used today.

Celebrate the end of the Chinese New Year with the lantern festival, featuring an array of intricately designed lanterns that light up the night sky. The festival is traditionally associated with the eating of tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls.

Discover the art of painting Beijing opera masks, each color and pattern signifying different character traits and moods. Workshops allow participants to create their own masks with guidance from local artists.

Witness this exciting water sport that celebrates the summer Dragon Boat Festival. Teams paddle to the beat of a drum in ornately carved and brightly painted boats, creating an energetic atmosphere.

Attend a traditional cricket fighting event to watch this ancient Chinese pastime. Crickets are admired for their fighting abilities and the events are held in both informal settings and organized competitions.

Engage with an expert in feng shui, the Chinese practice of arranging your environment harmoniously. This ancient philosophy seeks to balance energy, or "qi," to bring peace and prosperity.

Learn Jianzhi, the delicate art of paper cutting that decorates Chinese homes and festivals. This craft involves making intricate designs by cutting paper with scissors or knives.

Attend a shadow puppet performance, where skilled puppeteers use leather puppets to tell stories against a lit backdrop. It’s a captivating way to experience traditional storytelling.

Understand the tradition of giving red envelopes, or hongbao, which contain money, during special occasions. They symbolize luck and prosperity and are an important part of many festivals and life events in Beijing.

Visit a traditional courtyard home for a lunch of authentic Beijing dishes such as Peking duck and handmade noodles. It provides insight into Beijing's culinary history in an intimate setting.

Create beautiful knots that are used as decorations and for their auspicious meanings in Chinese culture. Each knot has its own significance, reflecting virtues like happiness or luck.

Participate in or watch traditional dances during local festivals in Beijing, such as the Dragon Dance or Lion Dance. These dances are energetic and performed to bring good fortune.