Water Sports In & Around Beijing

Unusually for a major city, Beijing is situated on neither a harbor or river (unless you count Liangma He), but don't let that stop you from enjoying water sports during summer. There is a surprising array of sports of offer in and around the capital.

Kite surfing and windsurfing
A2, the earliest boardsport promoter, is now working with IKO (International Kitesurfing Organization) instructors to introduce kite surfing courses from beginner to advanced level on a daily basis (RMB 3,000/3 days). They also rent a fleet of boards, kayaks, sails and more. A2 also holds windsurfing training camps (with parties on beaches in the evening) for beginners every weekend. The staff assures that learners will be able to go sailing on their own after one or two weekends of practice. Contact Bin at 139 0138 2484 for more information and package deals.
Centers and camps located at Beidaihe and Nandaihe (Hebei province).

Dragon Boating
The Beijing International Dragon Boating Team’s members are drawn from mixed backgrounds and have traveled to Hunan, Ningbo, Luoyang and a number of places within Beijing for competitions. A membership of RMB 150-200 a year entitles members to team clothing and a key ring, as well as discounts at local bars, member prices at training and perhaps most importantly, a seat preference for races. Social practices are open to the public every Sunday afternoon at the boathouse on Houhai Xi’an (western shore) from 4.30 to 6.30pm, followed by a fun Chinese dinner. For more information, contact Susan (susan.clear@gmail.com /1580 135 4462).
RMB 50 for one time dragon boating with lockers available at:
Gold Sailing Water Club. 81A Houhai Xiyan, Xicheng District. (6401 2664) 金帆运动俱乐部, 西城区后海西沿甲1号

Sailing
With top notch equipment and friendly, professional staff, the Beijing Sailing Center offers novice through advanced courses, kids summer camps, sailing parties and corporate events from May 1-Oct 31. Booking essential. The actual sailing venue is located in scenic Beidaihe, just 100 minutes from Beijing by train. Sailing open day on Aug 7 will feature sailing lessons in the morning and a regatta in the afternoon, followed by barbecue at RMB 990 (RMB 790 for self-drive). For inquiries and more events info, see www.beijingsailing.com or contact 150 0118 9580/1/2.
Beijing Sailing Center Office. 5005, 5th Floor, Zone A, Chaowai SOHO, 6B Chaoyangmenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区朝阳门外大街乙6 朝外SOHO A 座5 层楼5005室

Scuba Diving
SinoScuba is Beijing’s first professional dive operator that offers PADI open water and advanced scuba courses, with trips to the Blue Zoo Aquarium arranged for kides aged ten and up and a full range of scuba equipment for rental and sale. Classes available in Chinese and English.
Check www.sinoscuba.com or contact Steve at 135 0116 3629/steven@sinoscuba.com for more info.

Fishing
Crab Island resort, on the way to the airport, is crammed with attractions including a hotel, organic farm, restaurants, and “beach” and wave pool equipped for many water activities and games. Fishing in both the indoor and outdoor ponds is RMB 10 for rod rental, pay for what you catch. Their fish include African carp, crucian carp, blunt-snout bream, grass carp, cyprinid, rainbow trout, sturgeon, soft-shelled turtle, blue shark, and crabs.
Crab Island. Daily 8am-1am. 1 Xiedao Lu (take the Weigou exit off the Airport Expressway and follow the signs), Chaoyang District. (8432 4667) 蟹岛绿色生态度假村, 朝阳区蟹岛路1号

Water Polo
Beijing Ducks Club water polo team, with a diverse membership, comes out to play on Sundays. Come regularly or join them whenever you can. All skill levels welcome. For more info, Contact Casey Sapp or Andy Young beijing-water-polo@googlegroups.com.
2pm. International School of Beijing. 10 Anhua Jie (near Capital Paradise), Shunyi District. (8149 2345) 北京顺义国际学校, 顺义区安华街10号(名都园附近)

Parasailing and Water Skiing
In the shadow of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Huairou District, Yanqihu Lake’s clear water attracts many wild geese in the spring and autumn. In the summer, Yanqihu hosts a lot of water activities, including parasailing (RMB 100/person/time) and water skiing (RMB 200/circle around the lake). Entrance RMB 25. Daily 8am-6pm.
Yanqihu Amusement Park. Yanqi Town, Huairou District. (6966 1696) 雁栖湖游乐园, 怀柔区雁栖镇
Drive: Take Beigao exist at Sanyuanqiao Airport Express - 101 National Highway – Huairou – Yanqi Town. Bus: Take 936 from Dongzhimen to Yanqihu.

Jet Skiing
Jinhaihu (literally “Golden Sea Lake”) scenic resort is 15km east of Pinggu county, about 85km from downtown Beijing. With mountains surrounding on three sides of the resort, Jinhaihu is a scenic spot for water activities. Try the Huguang Ta (“Lake View Tower”) and Wanghai Ting (“Sea View Pavilion”) for views of the landscape. The more than 30 possible water actives will keep you keep you cool while having fun. Jet skiing is RMB 18/min, water bicycle RMB 60/hour, zipline RMB 40/person, parasailing RMB 100/person. Entrance RMB 36. Restaurant and hotel onsite. Daily 8am-5.30pm.
Jinhaihu Scenic Resort. Jinhaihu Town, Pinggu District. (6999 3943) 金海湖旅游区, 平谷区金海湖镇金海湖风景区
Drive: Airport Express – Shunping high way – Pinggu. Bus: Take 918 from Dongzhimen to Pinggu County. Then take 918zhi or 29 to Jinhaihu.