Editor's note: As the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics approach, local enthusiasm for winter sports and entertainment is booming. Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism recommends 10 sites where citizens can revel in winter activities.
10. Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan)
Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
Beijing's Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan in Chinese) is a classical Chinese garden inspired by descriptions from "A Dream of Red Mansions," an ancient Chinese literary masterpiece.
It is a large garden dotted with delicate pavilions, grand halls, courtyards and winding streams. In winter, visitors can meditate on the past in the snow-covered garden as if they were in a beautiful dream.
9. Universal Beijing Resort
Location: Tongzhou District, Beijing
Covering four square kilometers, the Universal Beijing Resort is the brand's largest worldwide with seven themed "lands" and 37 recreational facilities and attractions.
In winter, snow-covered castles in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, coupled with its eerie and gloomy streetlights, immerse visitors in a truly magical environment. Back in reality, tourists can enjoy hotpot with snowflakes swirling outside the Donglaishun Hotpot Restaurant at Universal CityWalk, experiencing a unique blend of Beijing and foreign cultures.
8. Juyongguan section of the Great Wall
Location: Changping District, Beijing
Under a blanket of snow, the winding Great Wall surrounded by lofty mountains and bare trees culminates in a spellbinding scene, rendering the panorama even more spectacular.
Descending from Juyongguan, tourists can visit the nearby Ming Tombs and then treat themselves to authentic spring pancakes in Kangling village.
7. Jingshan Park
Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
Situated along Beijing's north-south central axis, Jingshan Park, once a royal garden, is connected to the Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City to the south, adjacent to Beihai Park to the west, and faces the Drum and Bell Towers to the north.
Standing on Jingshan Hill, visitors can take in a picturesque panoramic view of Beijing with red walls and golden glazed tiles under the fine snow.
6. Summer Palace
Location: Haidian District, Beijing
As the largest and best-preserved royal garden, the Summer Palace boasts Beijing's largest natural ice rink, which can accommodate 4,000 people and has a total area of 300,000 square meters divided into two areas. One is for single carts, double carts, ice bicycles and speed skating, while the other is for electric carts, electric ice bumper cars and electric dragon boats.
Coming out of the Summer Palace, visitors can go on to visit the nearby Yuanmingyuan, or Old Summer Palace, and savor various traditional Beijing snacks on the commercial street inside.
5. Shichahai scenic area
Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
Shichahai, the only open water landscape in the capital, hosts a wide range of winter activities. Ice rinks in the Shichahai area are one of the city's most popular outdoor skating venues, where visitors can rent skates, ice bikes and sleds.
The neighboring attractions include the time-honored Yandaixiejie Street and Nanluoguxiang Lane dotted with boutiques, restaurants and trendy bars.
4. Lianhuachi Park (Lotus Pool Park)
Location: Fengtai District, Beijing
With heavy snowfall, the park's lakes, bridges, pavilions and artificial hills offer visitors a tranquil winter wonderland.
3. Chaoyang Park
Location: Chaoyang District, Beijing
Chaoyang Park has the city's largest skiing resort – Yabuluoni Ski Resort, where folks can revel in diverse snow and ice activities ranging from snowmobiles and snow tug-of-war to snow football. In a special area just for children, kids can build snowmen, throw snowballs and sit on sleds for fun.
Vivid snow sculptures are also on display in the resort.
2. Longtan Park
Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing
During the snow and ice carnival held in Longtan Park, winter lovers can delight in skiing or riding ice bicycles, bumper cars, snowfield tanks and snowfield air balloons, among others, which offers a day of fun for families.
1. Palace Museum
Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing
The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, is one of the capital's most popular destinations after it snows, especially with the younger generations. Its iconic red walls, gray bricks and golden glazed tiles truly pop against the pure white snow. What's more, it's a great way to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the modern city, transporting people back to ancient times.
