Since New Year's Day, several scenic spots in Beijing, including the Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park, and Shichahai, have successively opened outdoor ice rinks. Many visitors, while exploring the royal ruins, also indulge in the seasonal activity of ice skating.
The opening of outdoor ice rinks has boosted offline winter sports and recreation consumption. Data from Meituan and Dazhong Dianping show that in January 2024, the search volume for "outdoor ice skating" in the Beijing area increased by 348.2% compared to the previous year. Among them, the Summer Palace, Shichahai, Beihai Park, Zizhuyuan Park, and the Yuanmingyuan Park were among the top 5 in terms of keyword growth in searches and reviews. In addition to classic ice rinks, venues like the Olympic Park and Shougang Park have also opened outdoor ice rinks, providing residents with more nearby options for winter enjoyment.
Young people visit outdoor ice rinks for fun, take pictures, explore nearby delicacies, and engage in entertainment, driving the growth of consumption in the surrounding commercial areas of these attractions. It is worth noting that the Fuhai Ice Rink in Yuanmingyuan Park is the filming location for the TV drama "Empresses in the Palace." In January of this year, aside from the New Year holiday, cultural and entertaining ice performances are staged every weekend.
Outdoor ice skating has a long history in Beijing. In the early 20th century, Xiyuan Sanhai became a gathering place for the first generation of ice skating enthusiasts. Despite the proliferation of modern indoor ice rinks, local consumers still prefer to frolic on park ice rinks with cultural ambiance and nostalgic memories. Many Beijing residents cherish childhood memories of ice skating in the parks.
After hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022, the enthusiasm for winter sports and ice-related activities, including outdoor ice skating, remains high in Beijing. For young people who want to skate regularly without waiting in long queues, purchasing a pair of ice skates, following the example of old Beijing residents, proves to be the most convenient choice. It is noted that in December 2023, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, along with other departments that amounts five in total jointly launched the 2023-2024 Beijing Ice and Snow Sports Consumption Season. Various ice and snow sports consumption discounts were introduced at venues such as the National Stadium, the Summer Palace Park, and Taoranting Park to promote the spirit of the Beijing Winter Olympics, popularize ice and snow sports, enrich and improve public fitness and recreational activities, ignite public enthusiasm for ice and snow sports, and continuously enhance Beijing's urban sports influence.
Industry experts state that Beijing's development of winter-themed ice and snow recreation has unique advantages. Historical and cultural resources can be seamlessly combined with natural scenic resources to create immersive three-dimensional playing experiences. By integrating online platforms, the continuous expansion of ice and snow consumption offerings allows traditional folk culture to reach a broader audience, particularly among younger consumers.
Translator: ZHANG Bo
Reviewer: WEN Min
