Winter fun at Hou Hai
With our discovery of Changping's frozen "lake" last year, we have not had much need to explore some of the other outdoor sports areas around Beijing. In the city, among the most popular is Hou Hai, the lakes that date to imperial times, now frozen. It was a different experience from Changping in several ways, but one more people associate with Beijing winter than what we have in Changping.
The lakes are divided up according to what activities are permitted, such as skating only, ice chairs only, or, like the section where we met up with our friends Sarah and Julia, chairs and skating. However, the great expanse of lakes (relative to Changping, that is) allows for ample room for any given section.
More after the jump
Myles and Brigid were, of course, excited for what was probably the last chance for outdoor ice skating this winter, but also for the different ice chair and vehicles at Hou Hai. Not only were these different than what we have in Changping, the rider can propel themselves. In Changping, the cars, chairs, and broken carousel animals all require another person to pull or push the rider.
Myles was amazed at the ice-bikes. Here he rides away, Beijing's Drum Tower in the background.
Brigid preferred managing her own way on the ice chairs. Here's a video to demonstrate.
Clever tools those poles Brigid used to propel herself. Sharpened re-rod welded onto giant Philips head screwdrivers. What could possibly be the danger in that?
As fun as both of these were, I am glad we don't have either in Changping Park. Our ice is overall in better shape without the bikes and spears of Hou Hai.
It was a great time, mostly enjoyable because we met up with friends there.
Certainly, the proximity to Starbucks did not hurt either.
The outdoor ice skating season is just about over. The "lake" at Changping Park is still frozen, but not open to skaters any longer. The ice has become too uneven, the gate keepers tell me, offering only bing che tickets. We'll miss it all, the time spent outside nearly every afternoon we could manage. It was a relatively inexpensive opportunity for the kids to learn how to skate compared to the price of admission to an indoor rink. Mostly, too, we've had decent air quality through this skating season, so being outside for all those hours was a chilly joy.
Spring can come any time now. We haven't been hiking in a while.
More after the jump
Myles and Brigid were, of course, excited for what was probably the last chance for outdoor ice skating this winter, but also for the different ice chair and vehicles at Hou Hai. Not only were these different than what we have in Changping, the rider can propel themselves. In Changping, the cars, chairs, and broken carousel animals all require another person to pull or push the rider.
Myles was amazed at the ice-bikes. Here he rides away, Beijing's Drum Tower in the background.
Brigid preferred managing her own way on the ice chairs. Here's a video to demonstrate.
Clever tools those poles Brigid used to propel herself. Sharpened re-rod welded onto giant Philips head screwdrivers. What could possibly be the danger in that?
As fun as both of these were, I am glad we don't have either in Changping Park. Our ice is overall in better shape without the bikes and spears of Hou Hai.
It was a great time, mostly enjoyable because we met up with friends there.
Certainly, the proximity to Starbucks did not hurt either.
The outdoor ice skating season is just about over. The "lake" at Changping Park is still frozen, but not open to skaters any longer. The ice has become too uneven, the gate keepers tell me, offering only bing che tickets. We'll miss it all, the time spent outside nearly every afternoon we could manage. It was a relatively inexpensive opportunity for the kids to learn how to skate compared to the price of admission to an indoor rink. Mostly, too, we've had decent air quality through this skating season, so being outside for all those hours was a chilly joy.
Spring can come any time now. We haven't been hiking in a while.
Comments
I am looking forward to your spring hiking pictures!