Beijing Sports and ActivitiesCycling: Ice skating: It is possible to ice skate on Beijing 's lakes during winter. Downhill and cross-country skiing can be practiced in the North-east provinces. Fitness centres: Many fitness centres are linked to hotels and have membership fees, however, Capital Gymnasium, 5 Baishi Qiao, Xizhimen Wai Dajie (tel: (10) 6833 5552), is open for badminton and table tennis, among other sports. The China World Fitness Centre at the China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie (tel: (10) 6505 2266), has a gym, swimming pool and squash courts. |
Swimming: Many hotels have swimming pools but use of the facilities is often restricted to hotel residents or members. The Friendship Hotel, 3 Baishiqiao Lu, Haidian (tel: (10) 6849 8888), has an outdoor pool, or the Olympic Sports Center, 1 Anding Lu (tel: (10) 6491 0468) also has a pool. Waterparks have arrived in China in a big way. There are a number around Beijing , including Qingnianhu Water Park , Qingnianhu Park (tel: (10) 6421 6321), and Lakeview Waterpark (tel: (10) 6966 1696), by Yanqi Lake in Huairou County .
Tennis: Indoor and outdoor tennis courts are available at the Beijing Grand Canal Club, Hu Ge Zhuang, Tongzhou District (tel: (10) 8958 2988). Outdoor courts are also available at the Beijing International Club on Jianguomenwai (tel: (10) 6500 3941), Beijing Tennis Club, on Xiannongtan (tel: (10) 6317 5606), and Beijing International Centre, on Tiantan Donglu (tel: (10) 6714 2374).
Martial Arts: The ancient ‘shadow art' of Tai Chi, a series of linked movements performed in a slow relaxed manner using the entire body whilst focusing the mind, is traditionally practised in towns throughout China, particularly in the early morning hours, and visitors wishing to learn or participate are welcome.
Tennis
| Asian Games Village Tennis Center 18 Beichen North Road Asian Games Village Tel: +86-10 6492-1188 ext. 6140, 6141 Rates: RMB150 per hour Facilities: Three indoor courts |
Beijing International Club 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie Chaoyang District Tel: +86-10 6532-2046 Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (daily) Reservations must be made in person. Rates: Mondays to Fridays: RMB120 ( 8 to 10 a.m. ); RMB150 ( 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ); RMB200 ( 5 to 9 p.m. ) Weekends and public holidays: RMB200 ( 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ) Facilities: Two indoor courts |
Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center 40 Liangmaqiao Lu Chaoyang District Tel: +86-10 6466-3311 ext. 3185 Reservations are required three days in advance. Rates: Mondays to Fridays: RMB70 Saturdays and Sundays: RMB90 Facilities: Six outdoor courts |
Swimming
Beijing Twenty-First Century Hotel
40 Liangmaqiao Lu
Chaoyang District
Tel: +86-10 6466-3311 ext.3186
Hours: in winter, noon to 9:45 p.m. daily; in summer, noon to midnight , daily
Admission: RMB50 (unlimited); RMB40/hour; RMB500/month
Facilities: 50-meter pool
Bowling
| China World Hotel 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie Chaoyang District Tel: +86-10 6505-2266 Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Rates Mondays to Thursdays: RMB10 ( 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ); RMB15 ( 2 to 7 p.m. ); RMB30 (after 7 p.m. ); RMB10 ( 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. ) Fridays to Sundays: RMB20 ( 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ); RMB30 ( 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ); RMB10 ( 11:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. ) |
Holiday Inn Lido Jichang Road Jiangtai Road Chaoyang District Tel: +86- 10 6437-6688 Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Rates: Mondays to Fridays: RMB10 (before 2 p.m. ); RMB15 ( 2 to 7 p.m. ); RMB20 (after 7 p.m. ) Weekends: RMB10 (before 2 p.m. ); RMB20 (after 2 p.m. ) |
Bicycling
Beijing is a cycler's city, with special bike lanes throughout the capital. Be careful in areas where you have to enter city traffic. Driving in Beijing is chaotic. Major hotels have bicycles available for rent.
Ice Skating
Le Cool Ice Skating
China World Tower Two
1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang
Tel: +86-10 6505-3551
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Rates: RMB20 to RMB40/hour
Horseback Riding
Beijing Green Equestrian Club
North Bank of the Wenyu River
1 km. east (turn right coming from the city) in Lijing Garden Villa
Jichangfu Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86-10 6457-7166, 6459-2804
Hours: 8:30 a.m. until dark
Rate: RMB150/hour
