Baotou temple fair promotes Mongolian culture

Visitors watch a performance at a temple fair (miaohui) in Baotou, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Feb 11, showcasing the cultural traditions of the Mongolian ethnic group. Large fairs in China are regularly hosted by temples for the worship of Chinese gods and immortals around the time of Spring Festival. Temple fairs feature traditional customs and folk culture, including local snacks, artistic traditions, and folk performances. The fair is due to conclude on Feb 21. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

A man blows sugar figures at the temple fair, Feb 11. The sugar-figure blowers first heat the sugar up to the appropriate temperature, and then knead it into a ball. They use their fingers to press a deep hole into the ball, and then pull their fingers out along with the sugar until the sugar is very thin. At this point, they break off the sugar stick and blow air into the sugar to make it into molds. Lastly, the molds are made into different shapes. [Photo/Baotou Daily]