You’re feeling antsy, classes are canceled, you’ve spent far too much time indoors or working from home. It’s time to get riding, my friends. No matter what your level, cycling in Beijing is nicer and safer than you probably think (yes, really). Here are some fun and easy routes (even by shared bike) to explore the many wonders of Beijing.
Saddle up!
Chang’an Jie Highlights
Cycling along China’s greatest road is a breeze, thanks to the enormous bike paths (seriously, you could herd elephants down there). Technically, only a small section of what we call Chang’an Jie actually goes by that name, but who needs technicalities? Pick it up wherever is closest to you, and head east or west to your heart’s content. There is nothing quite like riding between Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, right under the portrait of Chairman Mao to remind you that you live in China. Dusk and dawn provide the prettiest light for this monumental stretch of road.
Beijing Central Axis
If Chang’an Jie is Beijing’s outstretched arms, then the Central Axis is its spine. This 7.8km north-south stretch is officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and goes all the way from Yongding Gate in the south, through Zhengyang Gate, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan, and ending with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. You’ll have to make a few detours here and there (namely around the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square) but it’s a hard route to beat if you want to hit some of the city’s most iconic historic sites.
Houhai
Ah, Houhai. Of all the charming and central attractions in this giant capital, this is one of the charming-est, if only for the abundant people-watching opportunities. Cruising along the perimeter of the lake with the walkers, hawkers, and tuk-tuk drivers until you happen across the swimming hole in the northwestern side. Come rain, shine, or freezing weather, you’re sure to see some leathery old Chinese men taking a healthful dip. Just nearby is a large and busy outdoor workout area so you can get in a few stretches, as well as the requisite mahjong and table-tennis tables, gravity-defying bouts of jianzi, and qi-gathering tree-hitters. Just watch out for the slingshot shooting range. Beijing park life at its best.
Canals and Rivers
For a city sat in the middle of a wide, dry plain and many kilometers from the coast, Beijing has an awful lot of canals and rivers. One fun way to spend the day is to open your map app of choice, pick a random blue ribbon, and ride out there to see what it looks like in real life. Or, if you like more certainty in your life, pick up the pretty Nanchang River at the northeast corner of the Second Ring Road, and follow it westward, all the way to Houhai and beyond.
Baitasi White Cloud Pagoda
If like us, you spend most of your time bouncing between Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts, then a trip out to the largest remaining Lama stupa of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368 AD) in Xicheng District could be just the ticket. Unfortunately, the White Pagoda itself is currently closed for renovation, but you can enjoy moseying your way among the hutongs, and then head to Bear Brew for stonkingly good coffee and an unparalleled view of the big white stupa from their rooftop terrace.
Exploring the Hutongs
Whilst the hutongs are largely closed for now, keep a close eye out because when they reopen they are the best place to potter around. You can’t really go wrong when you start riding around the hutongs, but a good place to start is behind Yonghegong Lama temple. Other must-sees include Fangjia and Wudaoying Hutongs, Confucius Temple, and the Shichahai area. The trick here is to ride slow, lean back, and take it all in.
Olympic Green
Even if you weren’t here during the 2008 Olympics, that doesn’t mean you can’t relive some of the glory! Grab a bike at the Drum Tower, and head due north on Jiugulou Avenue, over Anhua Bridge, along Beichen Road, and over Beichen Bridge, until you enter the vast Olympic Green site, welcomed of course by the Bird’s Nest, and the Water Cube. This park is big, so it’s a great place to potter around and then collapse on the grass, or head further north and ditch your bikes at the entrance to the Olympic Forest Park to explore further by foot.
Second Ring Road
Time to choose your own adventure: just pick up the Second Ring Road wherever it’s closest to you, and ride until you get back to your starting point! (Or whenever you’ve had enough). The Second Ring Road basically follows the perimeter city walls and moats of the Inner City, and therefore takes you past numerous historic buildings and monuments, like the Temple of Heaven, Yondingmen, Houhai Lake, Lama Temple, and… the Beijing Museum of Tap Water. The entire Second Ring Road is about 34km long, but you can do a shorter section by lopping off the newer “extension” in the south, and hewing closer to the original city perimeter.
To do this, once you reach Changchung Street Subway (in the west), turn off the road, and head due east, past Qianmen, Chongwenmen, and the Ming Dynasty City Wall Ruins Park, until you get to the Fox Tower in the west where you pick up the ring again.
Ride to the Summer Palaces
While you can’t ride around inside either of these parks they do make a lovely destination for a day ride. Depending on where you start out, and the distance you feel comfortable riding you could either return by subway or take it part of the way there. And if you’re not 100 percent sure which Summer Palace is which (and why), brush up with this handy explainer.
DIY Progressive Lunch (and Dinner)
Finally, if you’re the kind of person who thinks all good bike rides include food and libations, then a DIY progressive lunch is just for you. Check out constantly updated list of venues that have reopened, pick a handful of your favorite haunts (or new ones you’ve been meaning to try), drop them in a map and spend a few very pleasant hours riding between them, ordering a signature dish or drink at each one. If you plan to include alcohol in your libations, be sure to ride responsibly and swap the bike for a Didi or public transport when you get wobbly.
This article originally appeared on our sister site the Beijinger.
Images: Anna Pellegrin Hartley, 梵华, Wikimedia Commons (1, 2, 3, 4)
