New Year Event: Experiencing Qing Dynasty Traditions

A series of interactive activities to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival is on display from Wednesday to Saturday at the First Historical Archives of China in Beijing, inviting visitors to experience the traditional customs of the festival.

The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) emperors had a special ceremony to welcome the festival. On the eve of every Chinese New Year, they stayed alone to write their wishes for the new year on a small piece of yellow paper, asking for favorable weather, peace, and harmony in governance and among the people. The paper was then placed in a box without showing others what they had written. The custom lasted until the end of the dynasty.

At the First Historical Archives of China, visitors can use black ink to trace over a copy of the characters written by Emperor Qianlong in 1786 and write their own wishes for the new year.

Date: Feb 4 - Feb 7, 2026

Location: 4 Jingshan Front Street, Beijing