Cultural tips

For many Chinese, doing morning exercise is not only a way to keep fit, but also a habit. In the early mornings, one can always see in the park or small gardens or on the community squares, a lot of senior citizens and also young children walking, jogging, singing songs and operas, dancing, playing swords, walking with their birds in the cage, and playing Taichi—a traditional form of Chinese morning exercise. Travel agencies in Beijing have promoted morning exercise tours in parks for visitors. Foreign visitors go the parks not just for sightseeing, but more to take a look at ordinary Chinese doing morning exercise. Visitors want to experience authentic Chinese culture, especially the lives of ordinary people in Beijing.