Winter Wonder: Making the Most of Frozen Beijing

Beijing gets cold during winter. There, we’ve said it. No need to go on about it - most places do. No need to grumble about it either. It’s part of the capital’s charm.The city is at its prettiest with a powdery dry dusting against a glorious blue sky, and after all, ice helped shape the city’s most iconic sight, the Forbidden City.

Now, it’s a huge source of winter recreation. Nowhere is Beijing’s enjoyment of the ice more apparent than at Houhai. The epicentre of frozen activity in the city, it’s where the old boys gather for their morning polar swim; where others spend a crisp afternoon trying to catch their dinner; where youngsters brush up on their skating, or increasingly, their curling skills; and where mums and dads take their little ones for an icy slide.

For this month’s cover feature, we looked at how others enjoy Beijing’s icy season. From a vibrant expat community of ice hockey enthusiasts, to young and old alike who enjoy a skate, and the brilliant artist who helped us realize this month’s front cover, we found that Beijing is a city where people value the ice, and look forward to its annual visit. So strap on your skates, get over yourself, and enjoy this period.

Click below to continue reading on Issuu.com.