Beijing's most popular outdoor skating rink at Qianhai, the lake just south of Houhai, is now open, five days earlier than last year due to this year's chilly temps.

Ice skating has always been popular in northeast China, since it's one of the few sports that amateur adults can easily pick up.

As snow has graced the usually dry Beijing air and the skies have been blue, serene and calm, take advantage of the chance to get some fresh air out in the open space while staying warm.

This season, Qianhai officially opened to the public on December 22. Wang Hui, a manager of the rink, said that they take strict precautions in making sure the ice is safe to skate on.

"The ice is measured every morning before doors open, around 9 am. The government mandates that the ice must be at least 15 centimeters (about 10 inches) for the rink to open," Wang said.

When asked how the ice is measured everyday, Wang laughed and said, "With a ruler."

Wang added that they also provide emergency medical care in case someone were to, for example, slice open their finger on the skates.

Such wounds from tripping on the ice or accidentally making contact with blades fall secondary to the more serious injuries, which occur from falling through the ice, often resulting in hypothermia or shock. According to Wang, two people have already fallen through the ice this year, when the rink was not officially open yet. 

But on any ordinary day at scenic Houhai, most falls that skaters take provide comic relief to friendly witnesses. 

"If there are no crazy fluctuations in temperature, the rink should be open from now until February," Wang said. "Right now, the ice is about 20 centimeters, well over the requirement. This year, temperatures have been much lower than in the past."

Like most rinks, there is an entrance fee to get on the ice: 15 yuan ($2.40) on weekdays, 20 yuan on weekends. Renting skates costs 20 yuan, while ice bicycles are 40 yuan.

For those who don't know how to handle the ice on either, consider renting a chair-on-skates for about 20 yuan.

Chair-skating (bing che) is a sight that may confuse many first-timers to the rink. As the name would suggest, chair-skating consists of sitting on small chairs and using ski-like poles to "skate" across. Be warned: the chair moves at a snail-paced speed and is not easy to push.

Anyone unsure on their feet, or chair, should come prepared with their own pads.

The Qianhai skating rink is open from 9 am to 10 pm. During the holiday season, Qianhai skating rink has night shows, complete with lights and other effects that may appeal more to kids than adults.

Other big-name parks in Beijing also offer outdoor rink options, but be forewarned: not all allow ice skating. Beihai Park also opened up its iced-over waters on December 22, but does not allow the typical ice skates, though it permits skating activities suitable for young kids. Instead, try Zizhuyuan Park in Haidian district or Weiming Lake at Peking University.

Though outdoor ice skating at shopping plazas is quite popular for the wee ones, this year, places like Sanlitun Village will not offer the rinks for unspecified reasons.

Despite ice skating being a cheap way to get fit outdoors, some are less than inclined to engage in this winter sport.

"Ice skating is fun, but I'm reluctant to wear the rental skates. They're stinky," said 28-year-old Beijinger Huang Xiao, who has yet to frequent an outdoor rink.