10 Easy Rides You Can Do Without Leaving Beijing
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Saddle up!
Cycling along China's greatest road is a breeze, thanks to the enormous bike paths (seriously, you could herd elephants down there). Technically, only a small section of what we call Chang'an Jie actually goes by that name, but who needs technicalities? Pick it up wherever is closest to you, and head east or west to your heart's content. There is nothing quite like riding between Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, right under the portrait of Chairman Mao to remind you that you live in China. Dusk and dawn provide the prettiest light for this monumental stretch of road.
If Chang'an Jie is Beijing's outstretched arms, then the Central Axis is its spine. This 7.8km north-south stretch is officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and goes all the way from Yongding Gate in the south, through Zhengyang Gate, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan, and ending with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. You'll have to make a few detours here and there (namely around the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square) but it's a hard route to beat if you want to hit some of the city's most iconic historic sites.
Houhai
Ah, Houhai. Of all the charming and central attractions in this giant capital, this is one of the charming-est, if only for the abundant people-watching opportunities. Cruising along the perimeter of the lake with the walkers, hawkers, and tuk-tuk drivers until you happen across the swimming hole in the northwestern side. Come rain, shine, or freezing weather, you're sure to see some leathery old Chinese men taking a healthful dip. Just nearby is a large and busy outdoor workout area so you can get in a few stretches, as well as the requisite mahjong and table-tennis tables, gravity-defying bouts of jianzi, and qi-gathering tree-hitters. Just watch out for the slingshot shooting range. Beijing park life at its best.
Canals and Rivers
If like us, you spend most of your time bouncing between Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts, then a trip out to the largest remaining Lama stupa of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368 AD) in Xicheng District could be just the ticket. Unfortunately, the White Pagoda itself is currently closed for renovation, but you can enjoy moseying your way among the hutongs, and then head to Bear Brew for stonkingly good coffee and an unparalleled view of the big white stupa from their rooftop terrace.
Exploring the Hutongs
Olympic Green
Even if you weren't here during the 2008 Olympics, that doesn't mean you can't relive some of the glory! Grab a bike at the Drum Tower, and head due north on Jiugulou Avenue, over Anhua Bridge, along Beichen Road, and over Beichen Bridge, until you enter the vast Olympic Green site, welcomed of course by the Bird's Nest, and the Water Cube. This park is big, so it's a great place to potter around and then collapse on the grass, or head further north and ditch your bikes at the entrance to the Olympic Forest Park to explore further by foot.
Second Ring Road
Time to choose your own adventure: just pick up the Second Ring Road wherever it's closest to you, and ride until you get back to your starting point! (Or whenever you've had enough). The Second Ring Road basically follows the perimeter city walls and moats of the Inner City, and therefore takes you past numerous historic buildings and monuments, like the Temple of Heaven, Yondingmen, Houhai Lake, Lama Temple, and... the Beijing Museum of Tap Water. The entire Second Ring Road is about 34km long, but you can do a shorter section by lopping off the newer "extension" in the south, and hewing closer to the original city perimeter.
To do this, once you reach Changchung Street Subway (in the west), turn off the road, and head due east, past Qianmen, Chongwenmen, and the Ming Dynasty City Wall Ruins Park, until you get to the Fox Tower in the west where you pick up the ring again.While you can't ride around inside either of these parks they do make a lovely destination for a day ride. Depending on where you start out, and the distance you feel comfortable riding you could either return by subway or take it part of the way there. And if you're not 100 percent sure which Summer Palace is which (and why), brush up with this handy explainer.
DIY Progressive Lunch (and Dinner)
READ: 4 Reasons Why Cycling in Beijing Is Way Nicer Than You Think
Images: Anna Pellegrin Hartley, 梵华, Wikimedia Commons (1, 2, 3, 4)
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