Cycling:
An estimated 300 million Chinese people use the bicycle as a means of transport and, not surprisingly, bicycle hire shops can be found everywhere, even in smaller towns. Visitors should note that car traffic has been increasing in China, particularly in Beijing, where traffic and pollution levels are high. Major roads outside cities also tend to be busy.
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.
Hiking and Trekking:
China?`s main natural attractions are its scenic mountains, waterfalls, caverns and great rivers and lakes. No permit is required for hiking, although a trekking permit is compulsory (and fairly expensive) for visiting more remote areas. For details of the necessary practicalities for individual hiking or trekking and for a list of specialised tour operators, contact service@intochinatravel.com
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.
Golf:
The Grand Canal club in the Tongzhou district of municipal Beijing (tel: (10) 8958 3058 or 8947 0005) and the Beijing Country Golf Club (tel: (10) 6940 1111) in Beijing?ˉs Shunyi County both offer challenging courses and are within 45 minutes?ˉ drive from downtown Beijing. Green fees are RMB500 on weekdays and RMB800 at weekends. Perhaps the best course in the Beijing area is the championship-standard International Club (tel: (10) 6974 6388 or 6076 2288). Its 7000-yard (6400-metre) course makes it suitable for only the most able players. Green fees are RMB650-1100.
Beijing International Golf Club (Ming Tombs Golf Course)
Changping County
(north of the Ming Tombs Reservoir)
Tel: +86-10 6076-2288
Rates —
Mondays to Fridays: RMB650
Weekends: RMB1,100
Caddy fee: RMB1,120
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mondays to Fridays); subject to availability on weekends (must start before 1:30 p.m. to finish a game)
Beijing International Golf Course is said to be one of the finest golf courses in Beijing.
Huatang International Golf Club
Beijing Dongyanjiao Development Zone Beijing
Tel: +86-10 6159-3932/3933
Location: Take Jingtong Expressway
1 km past the Jingha toll gate
Open to the public
Rates —
Weekdays: RMB480
Weekends: RMB960
Driving range: RMB50 (entrance fee); RMB15 per 24 balls
Facilities: International-standard 18-hole championship golf course
Beijing Swimming:
Many hotels have swimming pools in Beijing 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.
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
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).
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)
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.)
Reservations must be made in person.
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
Martial Arts:
The ancient ??shadow art?ˉ 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.
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.)
Ice skating:
It is possible to ice skate on Beijing?`s lakes during winter. Downhill and cross-country skiing can be practised in the North-east provinces.
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
