Although reports that a warm winter had led many outdoor ice skating rinks to postpone their opening and even raised the possibility that they may not allow any skating at all this winter, the arrival of the first really frigid temperatures of the season has put all doubt out of skaters' minds. Houhai, one of the established outdoor skating areas, officially opened last weekend and the ice on the back lake should be perfect for skating this weekend. Other parks were you can skate in relative safety and at which skates (along with ice bicycles and carts) can be hired include Yuyuantan Park, Zhongshan Park, Beihai Park and Zizhuyuan Park. Yuyuantan Park and Beihai Park only offer ice carts. All of the above will be open from approximately 9am to 4pm. Although, if last year is anything to go by, Houhai may stay open a little bit later. The cost of entry and skate hire combined works out at about RMB 15 per person.

Further Reading:
Time Out: Ice Skating