Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
for a basic full-body massage, although Thai and ayurvedic massages cost ¥298. Mas-
sages are available for ¥128 during weekday afternoons.
YOGA YARD
|YOGA
( Yújiā Yuàn; 6413 0774;
www.yogayard.com
;
6th fl, 17 Gongrentiyuchang Beilu , Dongsi Shitiao)
In the
same building as Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat, this friendly English-speaking centre has tra-
ditional hatha yoga classes, from beginners to advanced. Ninety-minute lessons are ¥150,
but you can have a trial class for ¥75.
JĪNGHUÁ WǓSHÙ ASSOCIATION
|MARTIAL ARTS
( Jīnghuá Wǔshù Xiéhuì; 135 2228 3751; basement, Pulse Club, Kempinski Hotel, Liangmaqiao Lu, 5.30-7pm
Sat & Sun; Liangmaqiao)
Run from the gym at Pulse Club in the basement of the building
next to Kempinski Hotel, classes here are held in English and are given by teachers
trained in traditional Shàolín forms.
Wǔshù,qìgōng
and taichi are all taught here. Ten
classes costs ¥700; there are classes for kids (five years and over), too.
HAPPY MAGIC WATER PARK
( Shuǐlìfāng Xīshuǐ Lèyuán; Olympic Green, off Beichen Lu, water park entrance adult/child ¥200/160, swimming only
¥50; 10am-9pm; Olympic Green)
Unlike many of the 2008 Olympics venues, Běijīng's Na-
tional Aquatics Centre, aka the Water Cube, has now been put to use, post Olympics. The
other-worldly bubble-like structure, about 7km north of the city centre, now houses
Běijīng's largest indoor water park. Inside, it's a warren of neon plastic slides, tunnels,
water jets and pools, alongside elaborate, surreal underwater styling. There's a lazy river,
a 40ft freefall drop inside a plastic tube, and a wave pool designed to mimic the ocean.
You can pay ¥50 for a two-hour swimming session in the ordinary pool, but for full-on
water-slide action you need the ¥200 ticket.
|SWIMMING
LE COOL ICE RINK
( Guómào Liūbīngchǎng; 6505 5776; Basement 2, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, per 90min
¥30-50; 10am-10pm; Guomao)
Like many of the rinks in Běijīng, Le Cool is not very big.
But it's easily accessible and perfect for kids. Visit in the morning or evening if you want
to avoid the crowds. Skate hire is included in the price, which varies depending on the
time of day. Individual, 40-minute lessons are ¥100.
|ICE SKATING
BERLITZ
|CHINESE LANGUAGE
