Beijing is not the healthiest place where to exercise outside; as we all know the air is rather polluted! (Still, there are areas in the city where, if the air is not totally pure, you can enjoy doing it – see below the recent review published by China Daily, “Runners’ retreats”.) Inside activities are probably less challenging health-wise, like swimming (see review of where to do it, published in this month’s Time Out Beijing – “Making Waves”.)
For the first 3 days of my stay this time, in the city proper, I did not to worry: the Fairmont is well equipped: a large, clean, state-of-the-art gym, plus a 25-meter long pool (and, as in many hotels where I have stayed over the years, under occupied!) Such beautiful facilities!
Once at Commune by the Great Wall, well there, one has Nature! Ran a couple of times along the road, downwards one way, all the way upwards on the way back!
Beijing, September 17, 2011
Runners' retreats
By Tiffany Tan (China Daily; 2011-09-12)
From Chaoyang Park to the Ming Tombs, Tiffany Tan takes a glance at some of the favorite outdoor training grounds for running lovers ahead of Beijing's annual international marathon next month.
With the annual Beijing Marathon just a month away, participants are stepping up their workouts. To prepare for the 42-kilometer challenge, they usually do daily "short runs" of 10 kilometers and weekly "long runs" of 20 kilometers, often in wide, open public spaces. Beijing members of running8.com, the country's largest online network of amateur runners, share their favorite training grounds around town.
Olympic Forest Park, Chaoyang District
The 680-hectare park, north of the Water Cube and Bird's Nest in the Olympic Sports Center, is the most popular site with local runners. Again and again, they commend its wide trails, green surroundings, fresh air and atmosphere of camaraderie among runners.
"Runners consider it their paradise," says Long Xugou, who joined the group a couple of years ago.
Recent, welcome additions to the park are synthetic surface tracks that have been laid on its 3-, 5- and 10-kilometer running routes, as well as signs marking the distance between each kilometer.
If there's one complaint about the place to note, it's that the park does not provide lockers for valuables, so only bring what you can run with.
Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
Chaoyang Park, probably the top pick of Beijing's foreign runners, is but a distant second among the Chinese. Still, at 290 hectares, it's one of the capital's largest parks and sees a lot of competitive runners on its grassy fields and winding trails.
"It's the Promised Land for runners on Beijing's east side," says Eric Band, citing the park's lakes, ponds and greenery. But he adds that it does charge an admission of 5 yuan.
Temple of Heaven, Dongcheng District
Once used by the Ming and Qing emperors to implore the heavens for good harvests, divine consent and atonement of sins, the Temple of Heaven is set in a 267-hectare walled park, where neighboring residents like to take walks.
For Wei Gongming, one of Beijing running8.com's administrators, it is among the best places to go for a run in the city - even if he has to pay 10 to 15 yuan to enter. "The greenery, consisting of centuries-old pines and cypresses, is amazing," the 35-year-old says, "and the quiet and seclusion make runners feel carefree and happy."
But he cautions runners to be careful they don't knock over the many elderly men and women doing their exercises.
Yuyuantan Park, Haidian District
Yuyuantan, with its centerpiece lake, as well as springtime cherry blossoms, peach blossoms and tulips, offers urbanites a scenic run on the west side. At 140 hectares, it's the smallest park recommended here, but each lap around it should still give runners a good 4-kilometer workout.
"It's quite ideal for training for long-distance runs," Long Xugou says. The view and space come at the cost of 2 yuan.
Ming Tombs, Changping District
This is a location that's definitely not meant for that daily or weekly run; rather it's something to keep in mind when you need a routine change during the warmer months. Located 50 kilometers northwest of central Beijing, the imperial burial grounds, as prescribed by fengshui, are surrounded by hills, mountains and a body of water, the Ming Tombs Reservoir.
"It's quiet and secluded, and you can swim, then go for a run," says Shi Yan, one of the newest additions to the Beijing runners' group.
Wei would rather take a dip after a run, and suggested rounding off the trip with a visit to the local farms.
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