LISTINGS - The Rough Guide to Beijing - page 254

During the 2008 Olympics, a passion for athletic activity became a patriotic duty. Now
the dust has settled, the legacy of the Games includes a range of good sports facilit-
ies across the capital, from the outdoor workout machines placed in every neighbour-
hood to the showpiece stadiums themselves. However, the most visible kinds of exercise
need no fancy equipment; head to any park in the morning and you'll see citizens go-
ing through all sorts of martial arts routines, as well as performing popular exercises
deemed good for the qì ( 气 , life force), such as walking backwards, chest slapping, and
tree hugging. In addition, plenty of people cycle , play table tennis (often with a line of
bricks as a net) and street badminton (with no net at all), while in the evening many
public spaces - parks in particular - become the venue for mass ballroom-dancing.
ATHLETIC EVENTS AROUND BEIJING
Some intriguing events take place around Beijing. Most interesting is the Genghis Khan
Extreme Grasslands Marathon ( genghiskhanmtbadventure.com ), which sees runners
pound a standard-length marathon course through some of China's most enchantingly
beautiful scenery. This usually takes place in early July, and is immediately followed by
the Genghis Khan Mountain Bike Adventure , a three-day, 206km race organized by the
same team. Do them back to back and live to tell the tale, and you'll have had the ideal pre-
paration for September's Beijing International Triathlon ( beijinginternationaltriath-
lon.com ) , an event resuscitated in 2013.
GYMS
Gyms are becoming as popular as they are in the West. There are a growing number of private
gyms, while most large hotels have at least some gym equipment. In the more expensive
places, non-guests will be able to use the facilities for a charge (from ￥ 100).
China World Hotel China World Trade Centre, Jianguomenwai Dajie 010 65052266,
shangri-la.com/beijing/chinaworld ; Guomao subway (lines 1 & 10). A pricey place filled
with a range of excellent equipment (even if those using it occasionally seem more interested
in showing off than working out).
Evolution Fitness Blue Castle Centre, 3 Xidawang Lu 010 85997650; Dawanglu subway
(line 1). Beijing's best private gym, whose branches charge ￥ 100 for one visit, and ￥ 2000
for three months' membership.
Park Hyatt 010 85671234, beijing.park.hyatt.com ; Guomao subway (lines 1 & 10).
Surely the most attractive gym in the city, based on the 59th floor of the fancy Park Hyatt
hotel. The views over the CBD are fantastic, especially from the nearby lap-pool. The only
problem is the price, which for non-guests will start at a princely ￥ 500 per day, or ￥ 25,000
per year. Ouch.