Beijing's best spots for running

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

With summer well and truly here, it’s never too early (or late) to get fit. Find your stride at one of these excellent running spots in Beijing.

Beijing Greenway

Photo: Rheins/Wikimedia Commons

Arguably one of the city's best examples of modern urban planning, the Beijing Greenway is a staggering 35km-long path that runs adjacent to the Second Ring Road, occupying an area of over 100 hectares. Extensively landscaped and fastidiously maintained, recent additions include children’s play equipment, soft paths, lighting and seating. Run from Tianningsi Bridge to Dongbianmen Bridge for a 13km-long path filled with local activity and stunning views of the old city moat.

Dongbianmen Bridge (东便门桥) Jianguomen Dajie, Dongcheng district.

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.

 Chaoyang Park (朝阳公园) 1 Nongzhan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district. See heyrobics.com.cn for run schedules.

Olympic Forest Park

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 6km dedicated running loop, and plenty of joggers to compete with, too.

 Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园) 33 Kehui Lu, Beisihuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang district.

Purple Bamboo Park

Home to all manner of outdoor revelry, from lively taichi-practising groups, to gatherings of elderly musicians and boating on its central lake (from 10RMB per person), Purple Bamboo Park also features 5km of running paths, making for a picturesque run for the easily bored. Yuyuantan Park, home to some 6km of trails itself, is also located just 3-4km south, so runners up for a challenge can combine the two.

 Purple Bamboo Park (紫竹院公园) 35 Zhongguancun Nan Dajie, Haidian district.

Tongzhou Grand Canal

Photo: Daniel Case/Wikimedia Commons

Tongzhou Grand Canal, Beijing's oft-forgotten, seventh Unesco World Heritage site, features practically unlimited, uninterrupted paths for keen joggers to get stuck into. It’s perfect for a long day of running, but be sure to pack snacks and lots of water, as there’s little chance to pick up supplies en route. Don't know where to start? Check out our 20km-long guided bike tour and just ditch your bike at home.

 Tongzhou Canal Park (通州运河公园) Dongguan Daqiao Dong,   Tongzhou district.

Yuan Dadu Park

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.

 Yuan Dadu Park (元大都城垣遗址公园) 38 Anwaixiaoguan Jie, Chaoyang district.

Yuyuantan Park

Photo: Wpcpey/Wikimedia Commons

Haidian’s masterfully crafted Yuyuantan Park, one of the city’s biggest, is endowed with a mighty fine and mighty wide central lake, lush greenery and a 6km-long loop. It’s also become a scenic hotspot for leaf-spotters, with a fabulous autumn palette and a sakura population that would make Japanese cherry blossom blush in spring.

 Yuyuantan Park (玉渊潭公园) 10 Xisanhuan Zhong Lu, Haidian district.

For more ways to get fit in Beijing, hit 'Read more' below. 

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