Ice Skating

Beijing has superb outdoor ice-skating in the winter at Bei Hai Gongyuan, Qian Hai, and the Summer Palace. Skate rental outfits charge about ¥20 ($2.50), but you might not find boots that fit. Even more popular in winter are "ice cars" (bing che), box sleds propelled by ski poles. Caveats about the thickness of ice sheets apply -- global warming makes for a shorter skating season each year. Beijing's largest skate rink is Le Cool, Guomao Liubing Chang (tel. 010/6505-5776), in the underground shopping center that connects Traders Hotel to China World Hotel. Open Sunday through Friday from 10am to 10pm and Saturday until midnight, this rink charges ¥30 ($3.70) for 90 minutes from 10am to 6pm, ¥40 ($5) from 6 to 10pm, and ¥50 ($6) after 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.