7 things to check off on your end-of-summer Beijing bucket list

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As we move from 40-degree highs to the balmier temperatures of August and September, it's becoming more and more apparent that summer is winding down. Don’t worry, we’re not ready either. To ease the pain, we’ve put together a list of our favourite end-of-summer activities to help you make some memories and make the most of what's left of the season.

Explore the city by foot

There's no shortage of hidden hutongs, concealed cultural spots and even historically haunted sites worth exploring in Beijing. All you need is a pair of comfy shoes and a sharp eye to tackle. For guided tours, the folks behind Beijing Postcards and Beijing by Foot offer some of the city’s best cultural tours, from the old Legation Quarter to Dashilar to the Summer Palace.

Picnic in the park 

Beijing has some truly stunning parks and river banks, and even though you're not normally allowed to park your bum on the grass they make superlative picnic spots. Beyond the usual haunt of Liangmahe and Chaoyang Park, we're perhaps most enamoured with the majesty of Jingshan or the low-key nature of Ritan or the Olympic Forest Park (pictured).

Commandeer a boat

Photo: Yuanmingyuan official WeChat account

You won't regret this classic Beijing pastime. The city is filled with amazing boating spots in the city and a little further out too, so don’t miss out on a sunny day on the water. Grab some friends, take a picnic (and plenty of sunscreen) and set sail in your fleet of paddle boats.

Make the most out of the pool season

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Before it gets too nippy to dip your feet or body in the pleasantly cool water, make the most out of the last of the pool season by heading to the city's many outdoor pools and water parks. For waterslide fun, head to  in Dongcheng. And for both little ones and grown-ups, the in the Summer Palace and the in Haidian shouldn't disappoint. 

Get out of the city

Photo: Beijing Hikers/WeChat

With the ever-rising skyscrapers, Beijing doesn’t strike most people as a hiking destination but with the Great Wall and plenty of quiet hiking trails around, you’d be mad not to take the drop in temperature as an opportunity to get out and take in some of the amazing views from around the city. If you’re not a confident hiker, Beijing Hikers has plenty of trips to offer and years of experience to boot.

Get on your bike

Photo: Beijing Hikers/WeChat

Speaking of bikes, if you don’t feel like walking the whole of the second ring road, there are some great cycling routes around the city. And for those of you who don’t feel like peddling, there are some great e-bike companies that run tours around some of the city’s best sightseeing spots.

Go on a photo walk

Photo: @iestynapwilliam/Instagram

While the sun is shining and the city is buzzing with life, it’s definitely worth getting out and about to snap a few pictures for your grid (or ours, don’t forget to tag us). Here’s our list of some of the most Insta-worthy spots around the capital.

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