There's no doubt that two of the most fun winter activities are
skiing and going to
hot springs.
Skiing makes you sweat and exercises every muscle in the body that
is strained from long hours in front of the computer. Taking a hot
spring bath wraps the body in soothing warmth and replaces the
sweat with fragrant massage oil. Now you can do both in one day.
The following four ski resorts located in Beijing's suburbs are all
located near spa resorts. Go check them out.
Nanshan (southern mountain) Ski Resort: meet pop
stars
Complemented by Chunhuiyuan, a Japanese spa resort, Nanshan has
two special ski runs for coaching in addition to beginner courses,
middle level courses and high-level courses.
This ski resort is known for it's celebrity clientele, so for
fans who want to catch a glimpse of a star, try going to the resort
during the week, as celebs are known to avoid the weekend rush.
Celebrities aren't usually on the beginner slopes either, so you'd
better brush up on your skiing skills and keep your eyes
peeled.
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Visitors can dine at the Lutaisi Cafe, the Nanshan Cafeteria or
have tea at the Lavender Teahouse. Standard rooms are priced at
RMB320 per night on weekdays and RMB 360 on weekends. There is also
traditional 'kang' lodging that fits eight to ten people for RMB
500 per room.
Entrance: RMB 20 for adults. Students, soldiers
and children under 1.2 meters will enjoy a 50 percent discount.
Lift tickets: RMB 50 per adult per hour or RMB 220
for the full day on weekdays. RMB 70 per adult per hour or RMB 340
for the full day on weekends.
Location: Shengshuitou Village, Henanzhai,
Miyun
How to get there: Take the Jingcheng Highway
and get off at Shunmi Road Exit (Exit No.15). Make a right turn and
follow the road signs to Nanshan (southern mountain) Ski
Resort.
Shijinglong Ski Resort: take a bath in outdoor hot springs
surrounded by snow
The spa in Shijinglong is a bit different in that its hot spring
pond is not only in the open air but is also surrounded with snow.
Visitors can enter the pond outside in swimsuits, and once
submerged in the warm water, they will find it was worth it. Be
careful not to catch cold when stepping out of the pond!
Surrounded by star-rated hotels and sophisticated restaurants
featuring both western and Chinese dishes, skiers have many options
for food and lodging here, among them the specialty Huoguopen, a
unique hot pot dish whose broth is prepared by following secret
recipes.
Entrance: RMB 20 per person; RMB 30 per person
on holidays like the Spring Festival Holiday.
Lift tickets: RMB 100 per person for two hours,
RMB 120 for three hours, RMB 140 for four hours, RMB 220 per person
for the whole day on weekdays.
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RMB 150 per person for two hours, RMB 180 for three hours, RMB
200 for four hours, RMB 360 per person for the whole day on
weekends.
Location: Zhongyangfang, Zhangshanying
Township, Yanqing County
How to get there: Take Badaling Highway to
Madianqiao and get off at Exit No.19 to Yanqing County. Take the
Longqingxia section of the 110 National Highway to Huangbai Temple.
Continue west for 1km to Shijinglong Ski Resort.
Badaling Ski Resort: for the best coaches
Like the Nanshan Ski Resort, the Badaling Ski Resort also has a
special 3,000 square meter ski course for coaching. Basic
instruction is free, unlike other resorts. Badaling also provides
coaching services for skiers of different levels. Foreign coaches
charge a little more than Chinese coaches.
Badaling also is open on Friday and Saturday nights from 6PM to
10 PM?charging RMB 40 per person. Any group of 40 or above may
also order night skiing.
Guests at the Badaling Ski Resort can eat at Grandma's Kitchen,
a western food restaurant that offers fast food sets starting at
just RMB 25.
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Longmai hot spring resort and Tianlongyuan hot spring resort are
both nearby. Skiers choosing the Badaling Ski Resort also have
another bonus -- the Yanqing Longqingxia Ice Lanterns
Exhibition.
Entrance: RMB 20 per person; RMB 30 on
holidays.
Lift tickets: RMB 80 per person for two hours,
RMB 140 for four hours, RMB 170 for the whole day on weekdays;
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RMB 100 per person for two hours, RMB 180 for four hours, RMB
240 for the whole day on weekends.
Location: 3 km west of the Badaling Great
Wall
How to get there: Take the Badaling Highway and
get off at Exit No.11. Make a right turn at the first crossroad and
continue following the road east until you get to Xiaotangshan
Township.
Jundu Mountain Ski Resort: Beijing's
first ski resort
Jundu Mountain Ski Resort has free ski classes everyday, and for
new skiers at Jundu, there is always a coach standing by to give
them necessary instructions. Night skiing is from 5 PM-10
PM?every day for RMB 80.
Guests can try various mutton dishes or relax at the Sunshine
Smell Coffee House.
This ski resort is surrounded by spa resorts such as Jiuhua
mountain village, Longmai spa resort, Fulaigong spa village and
Fengshan spa, all just ten minutes' drive away.
Entrance: RMB 20 per person.
Lift Tickets: RMB 100 for two hours, RMB 120
for three hours, RMB 140 for four hours, RMB 220 for the whole day
on weekdays;
RMB 150 per person for two hours, RMB 180 for three hours, RMB
200 for four hours, as well as RMB 360 for the whole day at
weekend.
Location: No.588 Zhenshun Village, Cuicun
Township, Changping District, Beijing
How to get there: Take the Badaling Highway and
get off at Exit No.13C. Continue through Xiguan Island and Dongguan
Island to the Jundu Mountain Ski Resort.
(lifestyle.com, January 25, 2007)
