The 10 best lakes for kids to boat in Beijing

Despite the dip in tempreatures the past few days, spring has arrived even if we're still hanging onto our jackets. The generally warmer weather signals the start of boating season across Beijing's many lakes and parks. To help you make the most of it before Beijing's scorching summer arrives, here's our top recommendations of the city's boating spots

Remember to bring cash as many parks and boat operators only accept cash. You'd also want to check your check your weather apps before heading out; boats won't be available for rent when there are strong winds and rain. 

Qinglonghu Park 青龙湖公园

Photo: wenwin12/Pixabay.com

For those looking make a day out of it by the waterside, head west of Beijing to Qinglonghu Park with its wealth of options. Its lake has the usual gigantic duck pedal-boat and electric-powered boat rentals you'll find at most parks. But since you've already made the trip here, you might want to try its more unique offerings such as windsurfing, sailboats, a mini cruise ship  and, for adrenaline junkies, a literal hair-raising ride on speedboats.

Hours Open 8am-5.30pm daily.

Entrance fee 30RMB/adults; 20RMB/kids 1.2m-1.4m and senior citizens. Free for children under 1.2m.

Find it Wangzuo Zhen, Fengtai district (8331 0645) 丰台区王佐镇青龙湖公园.

Hanshiqiao Wetland Nature Reserve 汉石桥湿地公园

This beautiful natural wetland is only about 30 minutes from the Beijing Capital Airport but a world away from Beijing’s urban sprawl. Raised wooden walkways skirt the area’s lakes, perfect for walkers and bicycle riders. But if you're keen to see the wildlife up close, the best option is to rent a boat. Migratory birds reach the wetlands between March and April each year, making spring the best season to make the trip. Boats and bikes require a 400RMB deposit. Pedal boats are 80RMB an hour, four-seater electric boats at 140RMB an hour and five-seaters160RMB an hour. The usual animal shaped boats (yes, those rubber ducky ones the kids love) rent for 280RMB per hour. 

Hours Open 8am-4.30pm daily.

Entrance fee Free.

Find it Haishiqiao Village, Yangzhen area, Shunyi district (6141 1200) 顺义杨镇地区汉石桥村.

Beijing Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park 奥林匹克水上公园

Photo: 顺义水上公园/WeChat

It has been more than a decade since the Summer Olympic Games transformed Beijing and left the city with some incredible sporting venues. This lake in Shunyi, that once was the venue for the rowing, canoeing and open water swimming Olympic events, is now a popular spot for sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and wakeboarding. Classes, with Chinese instructors, are available for learners: Sailing classes cost 300RMB per hour while kayaking and paddle boarding is 200RMB. If you already know how to kayak and paddle board, you can just rent them for 300RMB for half the day. If the kids just want to be out on a boat, put down a 400RMB deposit on electric boats which rent at 150RMB for four-seaters and six-seaters costing 180RMB per hour.

Hours Open 9am-5pm (boats only available from 9am-4pm) daily.

Entrance fee  20RMB/adults, 10RMB/kids 1.2-1.4m. Free for kids under 1.2 metres. For more information on classes, call Lina (who speaks some English) at 139 1046 5950.

Find it 19 Baimalu, Shunyi district (8948 2008) 顺义区白马路19号.

Purple Bamboo Park 紫竹院公园

Photo: Purple Bamboo Park/WeChat

The best way to explore the Purple Bamboo Park‘s 88,000 square metres of water is on one of its 190 electric boats or, if you're going in a big group, on the larger sightseeing boats that can seat between 4 to 11 individuals. The kids can pick from the many smiling panda boats, rubber duck boats and caterpillar boats that cost 120RMB per hour and require a 300RMB deposit. For those considering checking out the popular ride from the Purple Bamboo Park to the Summer Palace, there's no news yet on when it will be opened... or even if it will reopen. Fingers crossed that this comes back soon! 

Hours Open 6am-9pm (boats only available from 9am-4pm) daily.

Entrance fee Free 

Find it 35 Zhongguancun Nan Dajie, Haidian district (8841 2830) 海淀区中关村南大街35号

Longtan Park 龙潭公园

Photo: Kenneth Tan

If crowds aren't your thing, then head off to Longtan Park where boat options may be fewer, but so are people. This picturesque park boasts elegantly arched bridges and towering rock formations. Pedal away in duck boats or vintage boats with your loved ones and enjoy the scenery alongside the lake's resident (real-life) ducks. Electric boats require a deposit of 400RMB, and four-seater boats cost 140RMB while six-seater boats cost 120RMB per hour.

Hours Open 6am to 9.30pm (boats only available from 9am-4pm) daily

Entrance fee  2RMB; free for kids under 1.2m   

Find it 8 Longtanhu Lu, Dongcheng district  (6714 4336) 东城区龙潭路8号(近华普超市)

The Old Summer Palace 圆明园遗址公园

Photo: yuanmingyuanpark/WeChat

There's no better place to ponder about China's imperial past than riding in a Chinese imperial boat at the Old Summer Palace. Yuanmingyuan's boating season has just begun, and visitors come specially to ride across Kunming Lake to admire Fragrant Hills' spring blooms in the distance. There are currently two boat routes available. One starts from the dock near the park's south gate that ends at the Fanghu Scenic dock by the west entrance of Xiyanglou ruins (25RMB per person, one way). The other option is from the Haiyue Kaijin docks to the park's exhibition hall dock by the Black Swan district (15RMB/person, one way). Boat rental deposits range from 200 to 400RMB depending on type of boat. Four-seater electric boats cost 100RMB per hour, six-seater electric boats 150RMB per hour and pedal boats will set you back 60RMB for each hour. 

Hours During March, April and October: 8am-6pm; from May to September: 8am-6.30pm

Entrance fee Entrance for the park and attractions 25RMB, 10RMB just for park access. Free for children under 1.2metres.

Find it 28 Qinghua Xi Lu, Haidian district (6254 3673) 海淀区清华西路28号.

Yuyuantan Park 玉渊潭公园

Photo: iStockPhoto

Catch a boat from the pier at Yuyuantan Park’s south entrance and take a ride on Beijing’s longest canal tour: a 26 kilometre trip along the Yulong line from the park to Longtan Lake. But your floating options don’t have to end there. Rent a boat to steer around the park’s lakes or float inside a giant plastic bubble. Four-seater pedal boats require a 200RMB deposit and cost 80RMB per hour while a six-seater pedal boat requires a 300RMB deposit and is priced at 100RMB per hour. Prices and deposits for electric boats vary; four-seater electric boats require a deposit of at least 300RMB and from hourly rentals range from 100 to 150RMB per hour depending on your boat of choice. Six-seater boats are from 150 to 180RMB per hour and require a deposit of 400RMB. For more (Chinese) information, call 8865 3721. 

Hours 6am-8.30pm daily, boats from 9am.

Entrance fees  10RMB during the duration of the Lupine festival. Otherwise 2RMB/aduts, half-price for students and kids. Free for kids under 1.2m.

Find it  Xisanhuan Bei Lu, Haidian district (8865 3806) 海淀区西三环中路10号.

Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园

Head left from the south entrance of Chaoyang Park and you’ll find rows of boats on Shuizhui Lake. With the help of a skipper, drift by sculpted greenery and lily pads for a change of pace from the amusement park. Four-seater electric boats are from 100RMB per hour and pedal boats are from 60RMB per hour. Deposits start from 200RMB. 

Hours Open 6am-10pm daily.

Entrance fee 5RMB. Free for kids under 1.2m.

Find it 1 Nongzhan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district (6506 5409) 朝阳区农展馆南路1号.

Beihai Park 北海公园

Boats abound on the lake in Beihai Park. You’ll find small pedal boats, mid-sized boats shaped like a lily pad, large and Imperial dragon boats for big groups, and the ubiquitous duck boats as far as the eye can see. Visit during off-peak hours to avoid the crowds. Pedal boats are from 60RMB per hour, four-person motorboats are from 120RMB and six-person motorboats are from 140RMB. Deposits are from 300RMB. 

Hours Open 6.30am-9pm (boats only available from 9am-6pm) daily.

Entrance fee 10RMB/adults, half-price for students and the elderly. Free for kids under 1.2m 

Find it 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng district (6403 1102) 西城区文津街1号

Summer Palace 颐和园

Photo: iStockphoto

The Summer Palace has a lot of different boats, and the scenery is second to none. Go for the small pedal boats or, for an easier time of it, try the motorboats for a glide across the emperors’ old stomping grounds. There are nine wharves, each with different boating options. Scan the QR code below for information of the different wharves, boating options and their respective prices.

Hours Open 6.30am-6pm (boats only available from 8.30am-4.30pm) daily.

Entrance fees 30RMB for the park; 60RMB includes access to attractions. 

Find it Qinglongqiao Jiedao, Haidian district (6288 1144) 海淀区青龙桥街道

Click Read More for more things to do around the city

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