Beijing This Month -- Issue 75, February 1999

Spring Festival wouldn't be spring festival without a whizz and a bang. By tradition, fireworks are believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck for the new year. Mostly for safety reasons, urban Chinese in New China have long been barred from the blue touch pap p49.jpg (4110 bytes) er.

However, it's possible to catch fireworks events outside the city if you know where to go. For more Chinese language information, call Beijing Tourism Administration on 6515-8844 ext. 3006 or 6515-8252.

Phoenix Mountain Folklore Gala
Fireworks, village food, folk dances
Feb.4-11
Haidian District
How to get there: Bus 346 from Summer Palace. Train 211 from Pingguoyuan
Tel: 6245-5933

Fireworks at Ming Emperors Waxwork Palace
Fireworks and folk dances
Feb.3-20
Changping District
$30RMB
How to get there: Bus 345 from Deshengmen, get off at Changping Xihuan Nanlu. Take a taxi to Ming Emperors Waxwork Palace
Tel: 6974-7257

Fireworks Festival
Fireworks
Until Feb.21
Green Brook Hotel, Fangshan District
How to get there: Bus 917 branch line at Tianqiao
Tel: 8035-2166

Miyun Fireworks Evening Party
Fireworks, folk dances, snacks
Feb.19
Location: Jiaoye Park, Miyun County
How to get there: Coach bus from Dongzhimen to Miyun Town, then change for a minibus to Jiaoye Park
Tel: 6902-7774