Chaoyang park is the largest open green space in Beijing, constructed in 1984 on what were formerly the grounds of the Prince’s Palace.

As I was living near the parc (actually, “only” 1.6km away) running in Chaoyang parc was the most convenient if I didn’t want to run around the streets of Beijing. And there are not many other green. Actually, one could run outside the parc on the east side, however it is located just near 4th ring road 🙁 If the Olympic forest parc is free, one has to pay entry fee for too many parks in Beijing. Including Chaoyang Parc, which costs CNY 5; CNY8 for monthly ticket; CNY80 for yearly ticket (prices of course do not include any entertainment facilities and activities – like swimming pool and roller-coaster rides). For monthly and yearly ticket a small photo is needed, and monthly pass can be bought (and the card made) only at the beginning of the month (until around 3rd). There are plenty of entry gates, though these cards can be made in selected ones. Entry is possible (at least in summer, winter has probably shorter working time) from 6am to 9pm. At least in the summer they close the park at around 10pm.

Parc sees plethora of different visitors. During the weekdays (morning and daytime) parc is quite popular among pensioners, babysitters and kindergartens 🙂 In the evenings parc swarms of younger folk and the ones who want to have some relaxation and walk. Everyday of the week in the morning many people come to practice taichi, some come to play their instruments and sing. During holidays and weekends this is go to spot for families in its sometime difficult not to be overrun by a small electric cars, etc. This is certainly go to place for nearby runners. And there are plenty. In the evening its sometimes difficult to dodge all the runners and walkers, especially if you are a bit faster. During weekend mornings there are plenty of runners as well. As usual for Beijing, you cannot bring your bike and cycle around, which is in a way good – Chinese are terrible in obeying rules and all the crowds would just be unmanageable. Note, that Chinese don’t move or budge. Soooo… don’t expect to run always on tartan as you would risk crashing.

As mentioned before, parc is popular with runners. For different paths are marked for co-use with walkers with tartan-like surface.
– 6km; longest marked path, goes from the park attractions to the north gate and back. Some nice straights, but also plenty of twists. Crosses a few bridges and one underpass, still, its never easy to get in the rhythm. Scenery is interesting, nice small lakes, etc. Covered with tartan. Unfortunately the bridge near the theater is not covered with tartan and extremely slippery in the wet. True distance is around 5.5km.
– 4.5km; upper part of the 6km path. Covered with tartan. Includes both “large” bridges and underpass.
– 2km; lower part of the 6km path. Covered with tartan. Some parts can get quite busy.
– 1km; near east gate – very twisty and first part with a small hill – distances of olympics disciplines are marked 🙂 Goes almost all the way in the woods, and circels table tennis tables and some football and basketball course. Goes even through the adrenaline park and shooting range. Unfortunately this path is not covered with tartan. Due to its uneven nature, don’t expect your PB here.

If you don’t want to run on these tracks, there are plenty of others paths, where you can shorten-lengthen your running track. Some are uncrowded even during peak hours. I guess the longest circle track that includes west (including Solana), south, east and north sides and gates is around 7.5-8km long.

In general. Pollution permitting, this is a great place to run, both during the week and weekends. Despite all the crowds, i always had fun and it was certainly never lonely and boring. Don’t expect to do your fast runs in the summer, as the heat is really oppressive and sometimes its very crowded. Surrounding is great, there are plenty of trees, which is great during hotter months. Lake also gives a special “coolness” and its never boring as the scenery always changes. In the spring, blossoming Japanese cherry trees are bonus and plenty of mosquitoes come for free in the summer.

If you get thirsty, there is no need to go outside the park. There are plenty of food and drinks sellers near the attractions and the machines dotted around the park. And the prices are very reasonable (water around 3-4 yuan).

Regarding the attractions. This is go to parc to have fun for the kids. Plenty of adrenaline attractions (quite kitschy ones), water park (entry during the weekend costs 140 yuan, during the week around 100 yuan and evening only 60 yuan – actually they have an olympic size (50m, no lanes marked) which is usually not crowded), tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. Table tennis use is free (just bring your own gear). You can also rent electric cars, boats, etc. At the north-west entry there is a Solana shopping centre. Very up-market and expensive shopping with some expensive, but also good restaurants. Nearby is also Lucky Street with restaurants on one side and Sino-Japanese Youth Swimming pool on the other side.