Popular Winter Places in Beijing

In cold winter days, it is perhaps a little boring if we just stay at home. Then why not go out and participate in some thrilling sports? Skating is a wonderful choice. Imagine that you are on the ice spinning - very exciting! Come on, let us have fun in the world of snow and ice. There are many skating resorts in Beijing to choose from. Some of them are located in urban districts. Normally, the resorts run from December to February.

1. National Stadium (Bird's Nest)

2. Shichahai

3. Taoranting Park

4. Longtan Park

National Stadium (Bird's Nest)

Bird's Nest Happy Snow and Ice Season

As of 2008, a Happy Snow and Ice Festival is held here each year, from December to next February. During this period, the stadium turns into the largest ski and skate resort in urban Beijing. 

Tourists have opportunities to take part in more than 30 kinds of sports and entertainment activities, such as ski jumping, ice skating, snow tubing, bumper car on the ice and biathlon (cross-country skiing and rifle shooting). Besides, kids can enjoy themselves by joining some indoor activities including canoeing, fencing and equestrianism at the Children's Area. 

How to get to the National Stadium

1. Take bus 82, 419, 538, or 645 and get off at Guojia Tiyuchang Dong (Bird's Nest) Station.

2. Take Sightseeing Bus 3 and get off at Beichen Donglu Station.
3. Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Aoti Zhongxin (Olympic Sports Center) Station. Get out from Exit B2 and walk north for about 900 yards (823m).

Admission Fee

Common Ticket: CNY 50

VIP Ticket: CNY 80 (including Golden Hall, Golden Corridor, Rostrum on the 2nd floor, No. 1 and No. 2 VIP Halls and regular visiting area)
Bird's-eye View Ticket: CNY 80 (including Air Corridor and regular visiting area)

Combo Tickets:
Common Ticket + Water Cube = CNY 80
VIP Ticket + Water Cube = CNY 110
Bird's-eye View Ticket + Water Cube = CNY 110
VIP Ticket + Battery Car = CNY 90
VIP Ticket + Battery Car + Water Cube = CNY 120
VIP Ticket + Bird's-eye View Ticket = CNY 110
VIP Ticket + Bird's-eye View Ticket + Water Cube = CNY 140

Shichahai

Getting an authentic taste of the style and features of Old Beijing

Shichahai is a famous scenic area in the northwest part of Beijing, which includes three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard. 

Shichahai is always a good place for local residents' recreational life, and in the last 200 years, many governmental officers, celebrities, monks and nuns chose to build mansions, temples and nunneries in it. Thus, the attraction of Shichahai lies not only in its natural beauty, but also in the historical value of its architecture. The most famous ones among these historical buildings are Prince Gong's Mansion (Gong Wang Fu), Price Chun's Mansion (Chun Wang Fu), the Former Residence of Song Qing Ling, Guang Hua Temple and the Former Residence of Mei Lan Fang, a well-known Beijing Opera master. Need to mention that the famous Shichahai Bar Street is actually Houhai Bar Street, which is in the area.

Some snack streets also lie in Shichahai, and people can find two Old Brands here. One is Kao Rou Ji, a restaurant selling roast meat, which has a history of over 150 years. The other is Bao Du Zhang, which has sold cooked tripe of sheep for four generations.

How to get to Shichahai

1. Take Subway Line 8 directly to Shichahai.

2. As it is close to the Bell and Drum Towers and the north gate of Beihai Park, visitors can take buses reaching either of them and then visit Shichahai: 
Take Subway Line 6 and get off at Beihai North Station. Get out of the station from Exit B and walk along Di'anmen Xi Dajie to the east till you see the gate of Hehua Market (Lotus Market).
Take Bus 3, 13, 42, 107, 111, 118, 612, or 701, and get off at  Beihai Beimen (north gate of Beihai Park) or 5, 60, 82, 107, 124 at Gu Lou (Drum Tower). Beihai Beimen Station is close to Lianhua Market where there are many pubs and the rickshaw tour starts. Gu Lou Station is close to Yandai Xiejie. 

Admission Fee

Ticket for Skating Resort: CNY 20

Holidays & Weekend: CNY 30

Extra Charge for Other Facilities (depends on the skating resort).

Taoranting Park

Joyful Park

Also named Joyful Park, Taoranting Park is situated in the North Bank of the Moat in Xicheng District, Beijing. It has an area of 59 hectares (around 146 acres), of which 17 hectares (42 acres) is covered by water. As a historical and cultural park, Taoranting Park is a mixture of ancient construction styles and modern design.
 

Taoran Ting (Taoran Pavilion) is the best known spot within Tanranting Park and is also from where it gets its name. Taoran Ting is listed as one of China's four famous historical pavilions, together with Aiwan Pavilion in Changsha, Zuiweng Pavilion in Chuzhou, and Huxin Pavilion in Hangzhou. It was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and enjoyed great fame at that time. Scholars often frequented this pavilion, gathering there reciting and composing poetry and essays, or just to relax, admiring the beauty of the moon. After the foundation of People's Republic of China, Taoranting Park was rebuilt and since then has been greatly enjoyed by local citizens.

How to get to Taoranting Park

1. Take Subway Line 4 to Taoranting Station; go out from Exit C and walk eastwards for 650 meters to the north gate.

2. East Gate: take bus 14, 40, 66, 70, 102, 106, or Zhuan 13 to Taoranqiao Bei.
South Gate: take bus 50, 122, 458, 485, 692, 958, 997, Te 3, Te 12，Te 17 or Yuntong 102, and get off at Taoranting Gongyuan Nanmen.
North Gate: take bus 40, 59, or Zhuan 13 to Taoranting Gongyuan Beimen.

Admission Fee

Common Ticket: CNY 2

Extra Charge for Other Facilities (depends on the park).

Longtan Park

A welcoming place for people in south Beijing to entertain and relax

Longtan Park or Longtan Lake Par was built in 1952, officially opened in 1986 and is located to the southeast side of the Guangming Bridge. Beautiful landscape and rich culture have also made it a popular sightseeing resort.

There are also many activities every year, such as: Temple Fair around Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Race around Dragon Boat Festival, and park touring on Double Ninth Festival. Below are the main scenic zones to enjoy new vistas, interesting activities to attend, and entertainment facilities to enjoy inside the park.

The Lake in Longtan Park is divided into isles, peninsulas, gorges, and green lands by the stone bridges and waterfall. A huge dragon-shaped mountain is built in the water and another 14 strange and totally different peaks can be viewed. The great waterfall pours down from the main peak, which looks like a huge bonsai. You can view the beautiful natural scenery as well as skating on the lake. 

How to get to Longtan Park

The North Gate:
Bus No. 34/35/36/41/352/561/957, get off at Guangminglou Station
The Northwest Gate:
Bus No. 6/12/60/116/352/684, get off at Longtan Park Station.
The East Gate:
Bus No.122, get off at the west of South Jinsong Street Station.
The West Gate:
Bus No. 12/ 684, get off at the Longtan Lake Swimming Pool Station.

Admission Fee

Common Ticket: CNY 2

Extra Charge for Other Facilities (depends on the park).

*The prices are for your reference only. 

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See you next time.

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