Escape the Confines of the City with Bird Watching and Boating at Hanshiqiao Wetland Nature Reserve

Prep work: Look up the birds and plants that are native to Beijing. Print out a list. If you want to get serious, download some apps: iBird Explorer Pro or National Geographic’s Handheld Birds. You already know what sound the greater pied woodpecker will make, but what of the wetlands’ other residents: the osprey, the hoopoe, the little bunting? Which bird cries oop-oop-oop? Which bird is known for its yewk? Which one alternates between zik and siroo-sir-sir-siroo?

Don’t forget to bring: Lots of cash for rental deposits (RMB 400/bike or boat), and a sense of oneness with Gaia.

Rules for the day: Respect nature. No swimming, hunting, trampling the flowers or open flames.

Activity 1: Clean Energy
Make your way around the wetlands on your own steam. Rent a bike-mobile (RMB 70/hr) or a pedal boat (RMB 70/hr) and cycle your way through the trees or across the water. If you’re on a bike, try to complete the yellow, blue and red paths. For extra points, determine how many people can fit on the elaborate bicycle contraptions. The two-row seaters hold up to eight people. Or do they?

Activity 2: Unequal Resource Allocation
When one person’s not pedaling, it makes the work harder for everyone else. Discuss.

Activity 3: Shake Your Tail Feather
As you make your way around the yellow trail, look for plaques explaining the plants and wildlife. Can you spot the java water dropwort, not to be confused with its super-poisonous cousin dropworts? Collect tidbits of information to use later to impress your friends; “Did you know that the cuckoo has a rotund voice?” That one’s on us. Go find your favorites.

Gold stars: You’ve been so green all day – don’t stop now! On your way back through tree-lined Shunyi, reward yourself with an all-Ireland Iced Tea at The Green Cap Bar. If you feel that you did more than your share of pedaling today, restore balance to the universe by splurging on a Ten-Hand Massage at Green T. House Living.

How to get there: Take Line 15 to its eastern terminus (Fengbo station). Hire a cab to take you to Hanshiqiao Nature Reserve (15 min) and arrange a pick-up time.

This article first appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Photos: travelaroundbeijing.com, beijingtoday.com.cn, visitbeijing.com.cn