Do

On your ice bikeBeijing, China

Are thoughts of razor-sharp blades through splayed fingers too much for you to consider ice-skating? Then this might just be the new winter activity for you. Take a normal bike, replace the front tyre with a blade and find yourself a good stretch of frozen ice.

Ice-biking seems to be particularly popular in China, where you can hire the unusual contraptions at South Lake in Changchun (capital of the north-west province of Jilin) and in Beijing, either at the Zizhuyuan Park skating rink or on Lake Houhai. While you’re attempting to pop slick monos, you might also notice another unusual mode of transportation: the chair sled, which basically consists of two wooden seats strapped together and propelled forward using fire pokers.


get there

The closest subway station to Houhai Lake is Gulou Dajie.

An hour on a bike costs about US$5 and there’s a US$15 deposit, too.

Don’t try to pull off any trick moves on these humble steeds.

Skating in Beijing is usually open from late December to early February.

Tags: chill thrill, china, cycling, unusual experience

Get Inspired In Print

While you're here

SHANGHAI, CHINA

You must first weave through a shop selling bartending equipment before you...

You must first weave through a shop selling bartending equipment before you can enter this...

HONG KONG, CHINA

Hong Kong’s largest island is just the scenic spot you need to add to your...

Hong Kong’s largest island is just the scenic spot you need to add to your next city...

JIUZHAIGOU, SICHUAN PROVINCE

So impressive is the nature reserve and national park of Jiuzhaigou, located...

So impressive is the nature reserve and national park of Jiuzhaigou, located in the...

BEIJING, CHINA

Food: it’s an important part of China’s culture. In Beijing, there is an...

Food: it’s an important part of China’s culture. In Beijing, there is an array of...