Lace Up: Where to Ice Skate in Beijing

Whether you're a shaky amateur or can knock out a double axel like the pros, here are a list of rinks and lakes where you can work on your Olympic-worthy technique. Now throw on a spandex unitard, lace up the skates and hit the ice.

All Star Ice Rink
Located on the first floor of Solana mall, the ice rink covers 800 square meters and is fit for both entertainment and professional competition. All-Star offers kids’ classes staffed by coaches from the Chinese national skating team. Private lessons (Chinese only) are RMB 135/40min. RMB 30 (weekday), RMB 50 (weekend).
Daily 10am-10pm. 1/F, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6328) 全明星滑冰俱乐部,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区首层

Century Star Club (Capital Indoor Stadium Ice Rink)
Offers ice skating lessons in a slightly smaller than regulation-size rink. Private lessons are priced at RMB 300/90min; group lessons start at RMB 75/90min.
Hours vary each day; call or check online for open times. B/F, Capital Gymnasium, 54 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District. (6834 6346) www.centurystar.com.cn 世纪星滑冰俱乐部,海淀区中关村南大街54号首都体育馆

Champion Skating Rink
RMB 30 (10-11.30am) weekdays for 1.5 hours, including shoes, RMB 40 (11.30am-5pm), weekdays after 5pm and weekends RMB 50/1.5 hours. RMB 10 more for every additional 30 minutes.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. B2/F, Jinyuan Shopping Mall, Yuanda Lu, Haidian District. (8887 4899) 军滑冰场, 海淀区远大路金源购物中心地下2层

Hosa Skating Center 浩沙冰上运动中心
This well organized center hosts international hockey competitions on top of providing a great venue for figure skating. Various training classes on offer and the friendly, professional coaches are available at all times to provide assistance. RMB 40/person.
Daily 2-5pm. Nearby Civil Aviation Hospital, Yaojiayuan Lu, Chaoyang District (8578 2590) 朝阳区姚家园路民航医院边上

Le Cool
Chills and spills for skaters and shoppers at this small indoor rink in the World Trade Center. Be warned that the rink can get seriously crowded with ice princesses on holidays and weekend afternoons. RMB 120/150 for a 40-minute private lesson. Weekdays: RMB 30 for 90 min (10am-6pm), RMB 40 for 90 min (6-10pm). Weekends: RMB 50 for 90 min. Skate rental included.
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm. B2/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 5776, lecool@cwtc.com) www.lecoolicerink.com

New World Champion Skating Rink 新世界冠军溜冰场
1,700 square meters of thick ice makes New World Champion one of Beijing's larger skating rinks. All fees include 90 minutes of ice time and skate rentals. Weekdays: RMB 40 (10am-5pm), RMB 50 (5-9.30pm).Weekends: RMB 50.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. B1/F, New World Shopping Mall, Chongwen District (8887 4899) 崇文区新世界商场地下1层

Qianhai (Houhai)
The city’s most popular outdoor ice-skating venue features ice sleighs and skates for rent (RMB 20/day). RMB 10/15 weekdays/ends.
Early morning to dusk. Qianhai, north side of Beihai Park, Xihai Beiyan, Xicheng District. (6612 5717) 后海地区, 西城区西海北沿(北海公园以北)

The Ice Zone
This small rink in Shunyi offers skating classes for beginners and intermediates, private lessons, 3-on-3 ice hockey programs, and beginners’ hockey for adults and children. Unlimited time on the ice is RMB 50 (weekends) and RMB 30 (weekdays) and includes skate rental. Private lesson needs to reserve before visiting for RMB 150 (CN)/300 (EN) per hour.
Daily noon-4pm. River Garden Clubhouse, 2/F (access from Yuyang Lu), 7 Yuyang Lu, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8046 6092, info@icezonechina.com) www.icezonechina.com 冰点地带,顺义区裕京花园会所2楼(入口在裕京路)榆阳路7号

Shangmei Ice Skating 尚美溜冰场
This indoor facility spans 1,000 square meters. 90 minutes of ice time (including shoes) costs RMB 35 (weekdays) or RMB 45 (nights and weekends).
Daily 10am-9.30pm. Xidan Cultural Centre (in 77th Street), Xicheng District. (6602 0050) 喜悦溜冰场, 西城区西单文化广场77街

Zilongxiang Ice Rink
RMB 16 per hour for children, RMB 26 for adults.
Tue-Sun 9am-9pm. North gate of Ditan Park, A14 Hepingli Zhongjie, Dongcheng District. (6429 1619) 紫龙祥滑冰馆, 东城区和平里中街甲14号地坛公园北门

Zizhuyuan Park
This well-known park in Haidian has ice sleighs for rent (price TBD). Entrance is free.
Daily 8am-6pm. 45 Baishiqiao Lu, Haidian District. (8841 2830) 紫竹院公园, 海淀区白石桥路45号