Olympic Park open to all
Yesterday Olympic Green within the Olympic Park area was opened free to all visitors. Throughout the week some facilities, such as the many entrance and security tents have been dismantled and barriers removed to allow easy access to all.
Visiting the very popular National Stadium and the Water Cube still involves entry fees and security checks.
The area makes an ideal place for people to relax or exercise in large open spaces or green areas. This writer enjoyed a traffic fee run right through the centre of the park meeting only a few of Beijing’s retirees out to walk their dogs and take morning constitutionals. However by 8am hoards of tourists were beginning to swarm over the park and snap photos as bus after bus disgorged these excited tourists on a perfect Beijing autumn morning with blue skies and ideal photo opportunities.
Other venues now open to the public include:
Laoshan Mountain Bike Course
Found in the west of Beijing this bike course is free of charge. The course is 4.7km long and riders are advised to bring their own helmets and first aid supplies.
Beijing Shooting Range Hall
North of the Xishan forest park The Beijing Shooting Range Hall is at the foot of Xishan Mountain. It will open to the public at the end of this month. Clay pigeon shooting and sports rifle shooting will be available to visitors. No price details are available at this time.
Beijing Capital Stadium
The skating rink at 5 Baishi Qiao, Haidian, opens skating to the public from 6pm to 8pm every night.
Entry: 50 RMB/hour
Telephone: 6832 5603
Horse riding
Horse lovers have a wonderful opportunity to meet, mingle and ride Olympic horses at the national equestrian club. All horses understand English and receive regular training. Some horses were even used in Olympic competition. Riding lessons are also available from some of the foreign staff on site.
Location: Beijing Sports University, Zhongguancun North Street, Haidian
Cost: 300 to 500RMB per hour
Telephone: 62989496
National Sports Training Centre
Basketball facilities are available at 600RMB per hour Monday to Friday.
Location: 2 Tiyuguan Lu, Chongwen
Telephone: 87183375
Badminton
Beijing Olympic Sports Centre
1 Anding Lu, Chaoyang District. (Right by Anhui Qiao on the north 4th Ring Road
Open: 9 am - 9 pm
Cost: 50RMB/hour
Telephone: 64911243
Outdoor Tennis
Beijing Olympic Sports Centre
1 Anding Lu,
Chaoyang District.
Open: 6 am – 8 pm
Cost: 120RMB/hour
Telephone: 64912143
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