Beijing's best parks for running

Run (to the Olympic) Forest (Park), run!

The Beijing Marathon returns September 16. It's unfortunately too late to register now, but with the summer scorch over, it’s never too early to get ready for next year. Go from couch to 5k and beyond at these top spots.

Olympic Forest Park

Image: Siyuwj

Where better to train than in the vicinity of Beijing 2008’s great venues? This sprawling green giant is split into northern and southern portions, each hosting a six-kilometre dedicated running loop, and plenty of joggers to compete with, too.

33 Kehui Lu, Chaoyang district. Open 6am-9pm daily. Free.

Chaoyang Park

At 2.8km long and 1.5km wide, routes could be customised endlessly on the many mazy paths in downtown Beijing’s largest park, though many feature dedicated running lanes. For more guidance, consider going with HeyRunning, who hold both 5km and longer routes for runners of all levels.

1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang district. Open 6am-10pm daily. 5RMB. See heyrobics.com.cn for run schedules.

Yuan Dadu Park

Image: 风二中 

If running in a largely unobstructed straight line sounds like your kind of good time, then this linear canalside park will please. The well-paved, tree-lined paths of Yuan Dadu Park stretch for 9km – jog both sides for an 18km loop – with only a few brushes with traffic to contend with.

Beitucheng Dong Lu, Chaoyang district. Open 6am-10pm daily. Free.

If running isn't quite your thing and you want info on other ways to stay fit in Beijing, hit 'Read more'. 

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