For our next stop in the countdown, we’re going to the best place to do it up like a local in the Chinese capital:<\/p>\n
#7 – Local Parks (\u5f53\u5730\u516c\u56ed – d\u0101ng d\u00ec g\u014dng yu\u00e1n)<\/h2>\n
While Beijing gets a bad rap all the time for its horrible air pollution<\/strong> (\u7a7a\u6c14\u6c61\u67d3 – k\u014dng q\u00ec w\u016b r\u01cen), the city actually has a ton of green space. In fact, one of the most popular activities for locals is simply cruising up to the local park to hangout for a few hours. It is here – not in the giant shopping malls and modern skyscrapers – where you can really feel the pulse of Beijing. If you really want to experience local culture while in the ‘Jing, these are some of the best places to go. Here are some ideas for park-hopping in Beijing:<\/p>\n A crowd gathers to sing at the Temple of Heaven.<\/p><\/div>\n Beijing’s many temples are basically all massive parks. Around the actual temple there’s usually a large green space, with plenty of areas to either sit down and chill or take part in some fun outdoor activities. Get here in the early morning, and you’ll find crowds of elders doing their morning tai chi<\/strong> (\u592a\u6781 – t\u00e0i j\u00ed) routine. In the hot hours of a summer afternoon, you’ll find people trying to beat the heat by taking a nap or playing Chinese chess<\/strong> (\u8c61\u68cb – xi\u00e0ng q\u00ed) in the shade. At night, don’t be surprised to find a group of middle-aged Chinese ladies busting a move during a big group dance practice. Here are some of the best temples to take in Beijing’s local culture:<\/p>\n Temple of Heaven<\/strong> (\u5929\u575b – ti\u0101n t\u00e1n)<\/p>\n The famous Temple of Heaven.<\/p><\/div>\n Temple of the Earth<\/strong> (\u5730\u575b – d\u00ec t\u00e1n)<\/p>\n Flowers are blooming in Ditan Park.<\/p><\/div>\n Temple of the Sun<\/strong> (\u65e5\u575b – r\u00ec t\u00e1n)<\/p>\n A peaceful pond and nice views at Ritan.<\/p><\/div>\n One of the most scenic spots in Beijing.<\/p><\/div>\n New York has Central Park, San Francisco has Golden Gate Park, and Beijing has Chaoyang Park<\/strong> (\u671d\u9633\u516c\u56ed – ch\u0101o y\u00e1ng g\u014dng yu\u00e1n). While it may not be nearly as famous as the Big Apple’s version, this huge park provides a great place to relax, get some exercise, or just have a good time in Beijing. Go for a run (on a clear day of course), have a picnic, rent a boat, or take the kids out to enjoy the games and rides in the amusement park. If you like having fun like we do, though, you’ll opt to rent the party bike. This feat of German engineering allows a group of 10-15 people to sit around a massive bike and pedal it around the park while consuming adult beverages and rocking out to a playlist on your iPod. Get exercise and a buzz at the same time!<\/p>\n Ride a roller coaster at Chaoyang Park.<\/p><\/div>\n Party time on the party bike!<\/p><\/div>\n Built in 2008 for the summer games, the Olympic Forest Park<\/strong> (\u5965\u6797\u5339\u514b\u68ee\u6797\u516c\u56ed – \u00e0o l\u00edn p\u01d0 k\u00e8 s\u0113n l\u00edn g\u014dng yu\u00e1n) is a favorite amongst Beijinger’s looking for a place to jog, as the air quality here is often much better than in the center of the city. Plus, the park is huge and is mapped out to include a few different jogging paths. If you’re feeling lazy, though, you can always rent an electric buggy or a boat to explore the grounds.<\/p>\n Enjoying the scenery at the Olympic Forest Park.<\/p><\/div>\n Stroll around the lake in the Forest Park.<\/p><\/div>\n One of my personal favorite spots to chill out is in Tuanjiehu Park<\/strong> (\u56e2\u7ed3\u6e56\u516c\u56ed – tu\u00e1n ji\u00e9 h\u00fa g\u014dng yu\u00e1n). This hidden gem is located right off of the eastern 3rd Ring Road right around the corner from Beijing’s bustling CBD. With a nice lake and plenty of benches, it’s a great place to relax and forget the madness going on just outside of the park’s gates on the congested roads. In the summer months, you’ll also find a water park<\/strong> (\u6c34\u4e0a\u4e50\u56ed – shu\u01d0 sh\u00e0ng l\u00e8 yu\u00e1n) with a wave pool, an artificial beach, and a few water slides.<\/p>\n Go for a swim on a hot summer day.<\/p><\/div>\nTemples<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/DSC_0160-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"The](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/DSC_0166-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Flowers](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/DSC_0572-201x300.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/DSC_0418-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Chaoyang Park<\/h3>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/109-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Ride](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/082-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Party](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/147-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Olympic Forest Park<\/h3>\n
![\"Enjoying](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/DSC_0035-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Stroll](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/GOPR0743-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Tuanjiehu Park<\/h3>\n
![\"Go](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/GOPR0788-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>
![\"Even](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/Birthday-006-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2013\/09\/GOPR0788-350x263.jpg\")