Discover Shijingshan: Tour BJ's industrial Olympic sites by bike

Spring brings the perfect weather to see the city through new eyes and head off the beaten track. Itching for some sights? It's not hard to find something new to explore in Beijing – if you broaden your horizons. 

Hiding in plain sight is Shijingshan, the urban district found in the oft-neglect Wild West of Beijing. While it may seem far-flung, it has gone through a quiet transformation over the years and impressed Olympic fans far and wide with its host sites for several major Winter Games events like big air. 

You might recognise the iconic ski ramp against the steampunk-esque backdrop of cooling towers in Shougang, the former steel-factory-turned industrial park that has put Shijingshan on the map. It champions sustainability through creativity, and breathing life into a disused steel factory and its many infrastructures.

But that’s not all. Olympic venues aside, Shijingshan offers a ton of under-the-radar and offbeat attractions, and one of the best ways to take them all in is to hop on a bike and whizz past its scenic streets.

To help you explore better, the Shijingshan Culture and Tourism Bureau is hosting a cycling tour on Thursday (April 21) that offers a glimpse into the district's long industrial history as well as famous Olympic sites. 

Itinerary: 

1pm: Meet up at the Beijing Winter Olympics Park (gate 4)

1pm-1:20pm: Explore the nearby lotus ponds

1:20pm-1:40: Take the shuttle bus to explore the nearby river banks

1:40pm-2pm: Bike pickup 

2pm-2:45pm: Ride to the New Shougang Bridge 

2:45pm-3:30pm: Ride to the Liaocang Art Meseum

3:30pm-4pm: Check out the Winter Olympics and Paralympics Exhibition Centre, and Xiuchi Lake, and Shougang No.3 Blast Furnace Museum

4pm-4:30pm: Tour the Shougang High Line Park 

4:30pm-5pm: Afternoon tea at Shougang Shangri-la

Register by scanning the QR code above

In this four-hour tour, you'll explore the district's most iconic as well as offbeat attractions, wonders and parks on two wheels. Bikes are provided as well as bilingual guides. Saddle up and get exploring with these five highlights below.

1. Beijing Winter Olympics Park

The starting point of the tour, the Beijing Winter Olympics Park is located in west Shijingshan and stretches alongside the riverbank of Yongding river. Divided into eight small parks all featuring the area’s industrial vibes and different Winter Olympic elements, this is said to be the largest urban park found in west Beijing. 

2. New Shougang Bridge

For expansive views of the Yongding River, cycle on the new Shougang Bridge and catch unparalleled views of the open water, and a sneak peek of the big air slope against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. The bridge connects Shijingshan with Mentougou, making it a photo-worthy passage for cyclists heading further west.

3. Liaocang Art Museum

Once a warehouse, the Liaocang Art Museum features a unique curation of art, entertainment, f&b, and events. Take a tour through its many interesting immersive exhibitions, and try creating and lighting your own digital lantern at one of its multi-media installations.

4. Shougang High Line Park

At eight-kilometre long, the Shougang High Line Park is an elevated linear park that features walking paths built on disused industrial tunnels. Consisting of four different sections, each section offers different views overlooking the abandoned steelworks and even the training grounds for the Winter Olympics. 

5. Power Station Lounge 

At last, wrap up the cycling tour with an afternoon tea in Shangri-la Shougang's Power Station Lounge. Unwind and recharge with pastries, coffee, or cocktails in its industrial-chic surrounds. 

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