The Shichahai ice rink opens on January 10 in Beijing. Photo: VCG

As Beijing enters the coldest period of the year, many city parks and scenic spots have launched their annual "ice season," opening a variety of outdoor skating rinks and winter activities for the public.

Zizhuyuan Park, for example, has introduced a new speed skating zone and upgraded its ice bike equipment, while the Shichahai Qianhai Ice Rink is welcoming visitors with decorations themed around the Year of the Horse. At the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), beginner skaters can find dolphin-shaped skating aids. Residents and tourists alike are flocking to these venues to enjoy the thrill of ice sports.

On Sunday, the 12th Beijing Happy Ice and Snow Season kicked off at Zizhuyuan Park. According to the Beijing Daily, the park's newly opened ice rink hosted a winter sports carnival featuring six competition events - including snow tug-of-war, snow relay, disc throwing, and basketball on ice - as well as 18 recreational activities such as snowmobiles.

This year, Zizhuyuan Park's ice rink is divided into two main sections to suit different visitor groups. The speed skating area offers high-quality natural ice for skating enthusiasts to race each other and compete, while the recreational zone features classic attractions like ice bikes, catering to visitors of all ages.

To ensure public safety, the park has implemented multiple management measures. Ice thickness is monitored and publicly displayed several times daily, and a grid-based safety system with emergency staff helps maintain order on site. Core equipment, including ice bikes and ice cars, has been upgraded and is regularly maintained to ensure smooth operation, according to the Beijing News.

The much-anticipated Shichahai Qianhai Ice Rink officially opened to the public last weekend as well. This year's Shichahai ice and snow carnival is themed around the Year of the Horse, with festive banners and decorations at the rink's entrance and fencing. The rink, covering 35,000 square meters, offers single and double ice bikes, ice cars, and other facilities.

These newly opened park rinks have quickly become popular, attracting visitors of all ages who eagerly try out their favorite ice sports. Zhang Qian, a Beijing resident, told the Global Times on Monday that she took her child to the newly opened Tuanjiehu Park rink over the weekend. "There were so many people. Some were skating, others were riding ice bikes. The choices were abundant, and everyone was enthusiastic," she said.

Braving strong winds, another resident, Chen Lang, was among the first group to enjoy the Shichahai Ice Rink on opening day. "The rink is large and well-equipped. This year's Year of the Horse decorations create a festive atmosphere that really draws in the crowds," she shared.

Beyond parks, other venues are also reopening their ice rinks. On Sunday, Peking University's Weiming Lake rink resumed operations after a two-year pause. During the winter holiday, the rink will be open to visitors, with skate and ice bike rentals available. The university marked the reopening with a lively campus winter sports event, featuring ice hockey, curling, and ice bike drifting, drawing many students and faculty to the ice, according to the Beijing Daily.

Zhao Jing, a professor at Tianjin University of Sport specializing in winter sports, told the Global Times that these ice and snow activities are valuable resources for attracting winter sports enthusiasts. The diverse facilities encourage more ordinary people to try and become interested in sports like skating, which helps promote public health and fitness.