Get your skates on!

Ice-skating has a long history in China, where it is also known as "ice frolicking." It originated in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911). During this era, China's successive emperors would hold a large ice-skating event every year involving different activities. And today, the sport is enjoying a huge resurgence in China, with countless high-level speed skating and figure skating competitions taking place. The Global Times found several indoor ice-skating clubs in Shanghai.

Fit for champions

Champion Rink was the first chain of ice-skating clubs in China, boasting venues in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu, Zhengzhou and many other big cities. In Shanghai there are two outlets in the Bailian Youyicheng Shopping Mall on Songhu Road, Yangpu district, and in the New World City Shopping Center on Nanjing Road West.

Both venues have technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly refrigeration systems and equipment for clearing away the ice, and these basic installations are operated in tandem with lighting and sound effects.

What is even more impressive is that many of the rinks' coaches are retired professional skating athletes who have won various prizes and awards at national ice-skating competitions.

The club in the Bailian Youyicheng Shopping Mall is famous for hosting the local TV reality show, Skating with the Stars which began back in 2008. Skating shoes in sizes from 25 to 47 are available at both outlets.

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Address: 7/F, Bailian Youyicheng Shopping Mall, 8 Songhu Road

淞沪路8号百联又一城7楼

6/F, New World City Shopping Center, 2 Nanjing Road West

南京西路2号新世界城6楼

Tickets: 65 yuan for one and a half hours