Out and about
Go fly a kite!
March is a month made for these colorful man-made "birds", and two city parks offer a free chance to show your kids how to get airborne. (Big kids can play, too.) The Spacious Beijing Olympic Forest Park is also home to real birds, while the more urban Haidian Park still offers plenty of grassy expanse for kite fans - with easy access for baby strollers.
7 am-7 pm daily, free. Beijing Olympic Forest Park, 15 Beichen Donglu (East Road), Chaoyang district.
010-6452-9060.
7:30 am-10 pm daily, free. Haidian Park, 2 Xinjiangongmen Lu (Road), Haidian district. 010-6285-0569.
Scuba time
Warming weather has more of us dreaming about a plunge into the sea. SinoScuba offers lessons for the whole family, ages 10 and up, including swimming with dolphins and full certification. Classes available in Chinese and English.
Sinoscuba.com. Steven@sinoscuba.com. 010-1113-3629.
Still nice for ice
The Beijing International Ice Hockey Club meets every Sunday, with game nights from 6:30. Get your skates on! For updates and details: peking_puck@yahoo.com.
Hosa Ice Rink, 9 Chaoyang Lu (Road), Chaoyang district. 010-8578-2590.
Letting wheels loose
Pudong Cycling club heads out east of Huangpu four times each week, with all-day rides for advanced and intermediate-level cyclists. The group is also part of the Shanghai Race Series occurring in the summer months. Depending on group interest, from time to time, the group will plan trips outside of Shanghai (i.e. Mogashan, Sanya, Taiwan, Tour of Beijing) "to stretch our legs and our view". Membership required.
5:40 am until late Tuesdays and Thursdays (Century Park meet); 7:15 am until late Saturdays and Sundays (German Center). pudongcycling@yahoogroups.com.
