City walks step up in popularity

Gateway to relaxation

In addition to the educational aspect of the city walks, they also provide good exercise and can help relieve the stress of the work week.

Many participants say what they like the most about city walks is the physical aspect, adding the activity is a "gateway to the weekend" and helps them relieve work stress.

Zha Beibei, 28, works at China's biggest internet company, Baidu, and has lived in Beijing for almost 10 years. She likes to stroll the streets of the capital after work and at weekends. Her routes are not fixed, but she usually has a rough idea of where she wants to go before she sets out.

"Last year, I started going out regularly for walks," Zha said. "I would have dinner in the downtown area of Beijing every weekend, then take a walk along the streets exploring interesting cafes. This has become my primary form of exercise."

Other outdoor activities such as mountaineering or hiking usually require lengthy periods of walking, but Zha said with city walks she can get her exercise and also have a meal or go shopping.

"It's a leisurely and enjoyable way that involves exercise with multiple elements," she said. "The relaxation is addictive and these journeys of exploration have been very happy experiences."

After the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in December, Zha's city walks become more detailed and her routes plotted paths to pleasurable pursuits. In January, she set out in search of cocktails on Friday evenings.

After finishing work at around 8 pm, she would have dinner with her friends at a Japanese restaurant near the Drum Tower in Beijing's Dongcheng district or a burger and fries at a nearby eatery. Following the meal, she and her companions would walk for about 10 minutes along Andingmennei Street to reach a cocktail bar.

After that, they would stroll along Drum Tower East Avenue to Houhai Lake to enjoy the night scene, passing by the iconic Drum Tower and Bell Tower.

When they had completed their ramble around the lake, they would stop at a tavern for another drink. At around 11 pm, Zha and her friends would head home.