During the Spring Festival, districts across Beijing organized a rich variety of cultural activities, inviting foreign nationals in the city to experience Chinese New Year traditions and festive charm. These activities also helped strengthen friendship as foreign friends and local residents celebrated the Year of the Horse together.
Xicheng District: Experience the World at Beijing Fun as Global Vibes Meet Chinese New Year Celebrations
From February 17 to 23, the Beijing Fun Intangible Cultural Heritage Fair joined hands with foreign missions in China and intangible cultural heritage groups from countries including France, Turkey, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Peru, and Zimbabwe, presenting a unique Spring Festival experience highlighting international intangible cultural heritage.
The fair featured 24 carefully curated booths showcasing iconic handicrafts, local delicacies, and traditional festive customs from various countries, highlighting the dynamic interaction of Chinese and international cultures amid the Spring Festival celebrations.
Chaoyang District: 2026 Dadu Spring Festival Temple Fair Held
From February 17 to 23, the 2026 Dadu Spring Festival Temple Fair was held at the China National Convention Center Phase II. The event brought together international cultural institutions and organizations, showcasing exquisite handicrafts, local snacks, and cultural and creative products from around the world. It also featured an international handicraft experience activity themed “Boundless Culture, Shared Spring Festival Atmosphere”.
The fair also brought together embassies of 22 countries in China, 15 international organizations and overseas delegations, and more than 600 international students from 16 universities in Beijing to experience traditional Chinese New Year customs.
Haidian District: International Friends Extend New Year Greetings
Fengtai District: Chinese and American Youth Write the “Fu” Character for the Spring Festival
On February 22, the Fengtai leg of the “2026 U.S. Youth Pickleball People-to-People Exchange Delegation to China” took place at Fengtai Experimental School Affiliated to Beijing Institute of Education. Amid the festive atmosphere, 45 teachers and students from Maryland joined their counterparts from schools in Fengtai for lively exchanges centered around pickleball.
During the event, Chinese and American youth visited the Beijing Auto Museum to learn about China’s advances in automotive innovation and its vision for green mobility. They also experienced the charm of Peking Opera, tasted Chinese cuisine, and wrote the Chinese character “Fu”, which means good fortune, exchanging New Year greetings with one another. A U.S. student representative said that they were deeply touched by the warmth of their Beijing friends and had fallen in love with Chinese culture.
Mentougou District: International Cultural Exchange Salon Held
From February 7 to 10, the 2026 Spring Festival Gathering was held in Dongxinfang Subdistrict. Young participants from Pakistan, Vietnam, Tunisia, and the Central African Republic, among other countries, were invited to the “Cultural Resonance Across Continents for the Year of the Horse” International Cultural Exchange Salon, where they had exchanges on the Spring Festival and traditional festivals from their own countries.
The salon also featured hands-on cultural experiences. Guests painted Peking Opera masks, sketching lines and filling in colors to gain an up-close appreciation of the art form.
Tongzhou District: International Guests Visit the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing
Shunyi District: Foreign Volunteers Join COFCO-Shine Hills
On February 12, COFCO-Shine Hills welcomed a special group of blue-vested volunteers. Several international friends joined the “WeCare Volunteers” Service Station in Konggang Subdistrict to provide relevant services.
Huairou District: “Gather at Mutianyu, Celebrate 2026 Spring Festival Worldwide” Ice and Snow Carnival
From February 18 to 23, the “Gather at Mutianyu, Celebrate 2026 Spring Festival Worldwide” Ice and Snow Carnival was held at the Mutianyu Great Wall. Combining ice and snow entertainment, specialty foods, cultural and creative products, and folk customs, the event offered a variety of interactive experiences that drew many international visitors.
Yanqing District: International Students Experience the “Tiangong Lantern Festival”
On January 23, 40 international students immersed themselves in the festive and joyful atmosphere of the “Tiangong Lantern Festival—the 4th Lantern Art Festival—in the Beijing Shi Yuan International Tourism Resort.
This year’s festival, themed “Tribute to Classics: Dreams of the Heavenly Palace”, integrated popular Chinese animation IPs with aerospace technology. The students were captivated, taking photos with their phones and excitedly sharing the sights with their peers. Many remarked that walking through the lantern fair felt like stepping into a fairy tale, adding that “each lantern holds a story—it’s absolutely enchanting!”
