Flying kites in Beijing: enjoy one of the city’s secret pleasures

As spring approaches, people put away their thick coats and don lighter, more colorful clothes instead. However, traditional outings like flower viewing will make you miss another potential pastime: flying kites. This allows you to catch a breath of fresh air, get some exercise and practise your photographic skills at the same time. Here are some recommended spots that are perfect for catching that breeze.

1 Haidian Park

Located in the northwest of Beijing, neighboring Tsinghua and Peking universities, Haidian park is the perfect place to enjoy a walk and is well known for holding music festivals. With three-quarters of its 40 hectares covered with greenery, it contains Music Fountain Square large enough to accommodate hundreds of people. The big grass lawn at its center provides an ideal place to fly kites.

Address: northwest corner of Wanquanhe overpass

Ticket: 2 yuan

2 Tiananmen Square

This square enjoys the title of the biggest square in the world and is a must-see place to fly kites. Every spring, kites shaped like dragons, swallows and other animals will compete to see which can fly the highest or which is the most beautiful. Bring your kite here, make friends with your counterparts and learn the techniques that will ensure your kiting dominance.

Ticket: Free

3 Beijing Olympic Forest Park

A park whose area is larger than the combination of Yuanmingyuan (the old Summer Palace) and the Summer Palace, an ideal place to fly kites and get a lungful of fresh air. It is also a place for people who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and throw themselves into the embrace of Mother Nature. Besides flying kites, people can get a look at wild ducks and brocade carps.

Address: North Fifth Ring Road, near Bird's Nest

Ticket: Free

4 Rendinghu Park

Feel the modern elements in this park with grass lawn, waterscape and sculptures. It covers an area of 9.2 hectares with 1 hectare of water. This park is also a suitable place to go boating.

Address: 25, Liupukang Street, Xicheng district

Ticket: Free

5 Shisanling reservoir

Located in Changping county, Shisanling reservoir is 40 kilometers away from the centre of Beijing. The square to the west of the large dam serves as an ideal place to fly kites. People also fish here, climb Mangshan mountain nearby and enjoy the thrills of Jiulong Amusement Park.

Address: southeast of Shisanling basin, Changping district

Ticket: 60 yuan, 30 yuan for children

6 The China Millennium Monument

A place where people can fly kites and appreciate artworks at the Beijing World Art Museum. Ideal place to fly kites: the square outside the monument.

Address: A 9, Fuxing Lu, Haidian district

Tickets: 30 yuan

7 Exhibition Square

With the Beijing Exhibition Hall at its center and lined with restaurants, the kite-flying area here is enormous. The area is also a popular spot for young ones to show off their skateboarding and roller skating tricks. The Beijing Zoo nearby offers a wonderful springtime alternative.

Address: 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng district

Ticket: Free

8 Taiyanggong Park

A park that has fewer visitors than others, people come here to fly kites, enjoy a quiet environment and have lunch on the big grass lawn in the center of the park. Parents can bring their kids to the small amusement ground inside to ride a merry-go-round.

Address: 6 Taiyanggong Zhonglu, Chaoyang district

Ticket: Free

9 The Ming Dynasty City Wall Relics Park

Fly kites on the square in front of the park and take in the sights around you when standing on one of the last remnants of the city wall. You may also boost your knowledge of history by viewing the cultural relics dotted around.

Address: 9 Chongwenmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng district

Ticket: 10 yuan

10 The Yuan Dynasty Capital Relics Park

Appreciate the relics there and imagine what Beijing was like 700 years before while watching your kite gently soar overhead.

Address: north of Jianan Xilu and Xitucheng Lu crossroad, Haidian district

Ticket: Free