Christmas comes to Gubei

The water town is decking its halls for the holiday season, with Santa visits, decorated trees, choirs crooning carols－and much more. Xu Lin reports.

Santa Claus is coming to town－Beijing's Gubei water town, that is. The attraction, also known as Beijing WTown, recently announced that it's celebrating the Christmas season until Dec 31 with traditional decorations and festive activities for visitors, especially families.

It's hosting parades, a daily Christmas market with snacks and homemade gifts, and outdoor Christmas-tree lighting ceremonies every Saturday.

A choir sings carols in a hilltop church. Kids can make cupcakes and decorate trees, and enjoy children's stage plays at night.

Santa is passing out gifts. Visitors can write him letters or send him postcards, and lucky guests will get replies.

Gubei water town will host traditional temple-fair activities starting from the Western New Year to prepare for the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival, including paper-cutting, shadow-puppet shows and cross-talk comedy.

The 430,000-square-meter water town opened in 2014. Its buildings are constructed in the styles of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and the period of the early 20th century.