Beijing Leisure
Beijing isn’t the sportiest of cities, notwithstanding the 2008 Olympics, although several city parks present visitors with the chance to stretch their legs and practice some tai chi and go cycling. Martial arts is all around, while ice skating is the number one activity around the city during the winter. Those after gyms and smart swimming pools will usually have to head for the up-market city centre hotels, where the best-equipped fitness centres can be found.
Cycling
Easily the best way to get around Beijing, cycling is a daily occurrence for millions of locals, tourists and resident commuters alike. Tourists are not allowed to drive and if they could, they would not enjoy the horrendous traffic, one-way systems and crazy local drivers; therefore, cycling is certainly the easiest and cheapest mode of transport. The city’s many fine parks and miles of cycle paths make cycling a pleasure.
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Ice skating
Beijing can be really tough in the winter, what with the incessant cold snaps and snow, although those into ice skating will find several areas around the city where they can skate unhindered. Some of the best areas in Beijing to ice skate include: Beihai Lake, in Beihai Park; Kunming Lake, within the Summer Palace grounds; and along the frozen moat of the Forbidden City.
Martial arts
China is very into martial arts and there are numerous martial arts studios where everyone from the young to the elderly practice and compete with quiet efficiency. Not all studios are open to foreigners however, and martial arts remains fairly secretive in this part of the world. Visit one of the many parks in Beijing in the morning or evening and join the elderly in tai chi and various stretching and breathing exercises.
Shopping
Beijing has always been an interesting place to shop, with quirky antique shops and quality department stores in many areas of the city. The main four streets for shopping in town are Qianmen, Wangfujing, Xidan and Xisi. Markets are without doubt the most common place to pick up a bargain in Beijing and there is always a morning market of some kind happening. Make sure your bargaining skills are well-honed, as tourists are easy pickings for Beijing vendors.