Have Fun This Fall With Some of the City's More Offbeat Pastimes

If you have an adventurous spirit or just an abundance of curiosity, then you’re in luck. That’s because there are plenty of offbeat pastimes in the capital to get your adrenaline pumping, allow you to geek out, or to help you simply revel in the weird and wacky. Below, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite activities that should cater to any and all of your escapism inklings.

Try the futuristic goggles at Gome VR

Virtual Reality Flicks at Gome VR Cinema
Unlike the other options on this list, Gome will thrill your eyes while letting your body take it easy. With numerous top-of-the-line VR headsets on hand, as well as a plethora of the newest VR content (updated weekly), Gome is a foreigner-friendly venue that boasts some of Beijing’s most complete VR packages and makes for a great way to experience this cutting-edge, next-generation entertainment.
RMB 30 per hourly use of a headset, RMB 50 for three hours, and RMB 90 for three-plus hours. Daily, 10am-9pm. 25 North Middle Third Ring Road, Dazhong Electric Madianqiao Store, Chaoyang District (6597 3639)
朝阳区北三环中路25号大众电器马甸桥店

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Beijing Wake Park

Wakeboarding at Beijing Wake Park
Surprising as it may be – considering Beijing’s reputation as a sprawling, traffic-clogged metropolis – there is a wave-laden escape in Shunyi. Those of us seeking an adrenaline fix can hop on a board, hold on (tight) to a rope, and let a speedy boat zip across the water as we attempt to stay standing all the while.
RMB 1,200 per hour. Mon-Fri, 10.30am-6.30pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-7pm. 19 Baima Lu, Shunyi Olympic Water Park, Shunyi District (6940 2662)
北京市顺义区白马路19号顺义奥林匹克水上公园

Indoor surfing at Wavor House

Indoor Surfing at Wavor House
If you’re looking to hang ten and ride some waves in a more relaxed, beginner-friendly setting, then this indoor wave pool is a suitably fun plan B. All you need is a bathing suit and a half-decent sense of balance (or if not, a good sense of humor when you fall into these indoor waters), and the facility will provide you with the rest.
RMB 320 for 2.5 hours. Daily 10am-10pm. Warehouse A, Yihaoku Art Park, Chaoyang District (6433 1631)
威波豪斯冲浪俱乐部：朝阳区一号库艺术园区A库

Go up, up and away without any of the risk at Happy Flying Home

Indoor Skydiving at Happy Flying Home
Another safe alternative to an intimidating (albeit fun-looking) prospect, the wind tunnel at this facility allows you to get a taste of skydiving. The company was founded in Zhongshan and has a few branches across China, including this Shunyi location.
RMB 240 per session (approximately two minutes of airtime). Bldg 12, South Sector, Zhongliang Xiangyung Xiaozhen (138 1010 4809)
飞行家太空体验馆：顺义区中粮祥云小镇南区12号楼

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Serk Cycling's rural rides (pictured here) are among Beijing's best activities

Rustic biking with Serk Cycling and Beijing Peloton
Lastly, we have an activity that’s far more conventional than the rest of this roundup, but every bit as fun. Yes, these Beijing cycling clubs have much to offer and have the added bonus of a great workout amid the city’s gorgeous rural sceneries. We recommend:

• Serk Cycling’s weekly Saturday ride. Participants meet at Serk Space on 3 Dongbinhe Lu (near Andingmen subway station) to venture out to the mountains towards Huairou, Mentougou, Miyun Lake etc. with an average of 30-50 cyclists partaking each week. A one-ride pass is RMB 350, a 10-ride pass is RMB 2,500, and a 15-ride pass is RMB 3,000. (Find more info on WeChat at liman_zhao or by phone at 135 0122 5775)
  

• Beijing Peloton’s Saturday morning ride. Participants meet near the Trek store at Chaoyang Park South Gate at 7am and head to a range of sights and areas, including Baiyanggou, the Ming Tombs, Huairou, Sihai, Miyun, Pinggu, and other outlying scenic locales. RMB 250 per ride to cover bus and van hire (more info at beijingpeloton.cc).
  

This article first appeared in the September/October 2017 issue of the Beijinger, which you can read via PDF online or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.

Photos: Courtesy of the venues/organizers

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