Park Envy at the Temple of Heaven
Like some place people have actually heard of.
I have to admit it would be nice to live in a city that my friends might want to come visit. So far I’ve only managed to coerce people into visiting me by promising them that they can sleep on my couch.
And this tactic really only works with hobos. Unfortunately, I don’t really know enough hobos.
Most of my friends are like, “Umm, and why would I go all the way to some random city in China just so I can sleep on your couch?”
Obviously, they haven’t seen enough pictures of my couch.
Dear Friends, This all could be yours! (Well, not ALL of it... but I'm willing to share.)
I mean, they get to do all this fun stuff like buy cheese and go to Western restaurants on a regular basis.
It’s like they live in a parallel universe version of China. A universe where the dairy section of the supermarket doesn’t just consist of weird yogurt drinks and beer is served as it should be – chilled with a nacho platter.
Cold beer! Nacho platter! I love this universe!
But it had nothing to do with cheese or nacho platters.
Okay, maybe it did have a little bit to do with cheese.
But, mostly, I was jealous of Beijing’s parks.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Wuxi has a crazy amount of parks. Like, I’m pretty sure this city has more parks than people.
I can leave my apartment building from pretty much any direction, and I will hit a park. And, once that park is finished, I will hit another park.
I know this because I’ve spent the past few months running through all the parks in my neighborhood in an attempt to train for the Great Wall 10K. Every time I’d get to the end of one park, I’d be like, “Looks like this park is finished. Guess I’d better turn around and head home.” And then I’d see another park right across the street from the park I had just run through. So I’d have to keep on running until that park finished. But then there would be another park after that park. And so on and so on until I could no longer feel my knees.
It’s like Wuxi wants my body to self-destruct.
And, trust me, these parks are not sad, tree-less, concrete-covered affairs.They are sprawling expanses with sun-dappled walkways fringed with green grass and leafy bushes.
Ooo, walkways!
There are park benches and playgrounds and ornately carved pagodas.
Ooo, pagodas!
And there are tons of bridges — the pretty, arched kind of bridges that remind you of old water color paintings.
Ooo, bridges!
There are all these signs everywhere that talk up the different types of birds and plants that live in the park.
There’s even something called a “waterfowl appreciation area.”
It's about time waterfowl got a little appreciation, am I right or am I right?
There’s also a funky little sculpture garden full of cool sculptures like this one:
Cool, right?
And creepy sculptures like this one:
Creepy, right?
As you can see, my local parks are really nothing to scoff at. Especially because I’m pretty sure that banana statue comes alive at night and will totally eat your face off if you even dare to scoff at it.
But it wasn’t until my recent trip to Beijing when I realized what my parks were missing: people doing crazy stuff.Sure, there are people at my local parks.
But they’re usually just doing boring park things – like walking or sitting or staring at the weird white girl running around in spandex pants. (Ahem. That would be me.)
Nothing to see here, folks.
There are the occasional tai-chi-ers.
There’s one lady who likes to walk backwards, with her hands up in a large V-shape.
And there’s one guy who can do a full split and stay that way for at least five minutes.
But, for the most part, the crowd at my local park is pretty ho-hum.
Now, this is definitely not the case in Beijing – at least not at the Temple of Heaven Park, which I visited on my last day in the city.
I can’t say I was feeling particularly in a temple-y mood when I decided to hit up the park. But it was within walking distance from my hotel, and I felt I should leave my hotel room at least once during the day to justify the ten pounds of food I had eaten at the breakfast buffet.
Mmmm... breakfast buffet.
Sure, the temples were pretty and all.
Ooo, pretty.
But those temples couldn’t possibly compete with the crowds of over sixty-somethings who descend upon the park everyday.
You see, if you happen to be retiree in Beijing, the Temple of Heaven Park is apparently the place to hang.
Quite literally.
There were people dancing.
And knitting.
And playing cards, mahjong and Chinese chess.
And singing.
And hacky-sacking.
There was workout equipment.
And newspapers to read.
And a marriage market, where parents could try to match up their unmarried sons and daughters.
And there were whole bunches of people doing this amazing dance thing that involved what looked like badminton rackets. I stood there watching them with my mouth open for at least twenty minutes. And then I took this video.
I mean, how do you even get gravity to work like that?
I suspect there was some kind of wizardry involved.
Since returning to Wuxi from Beijing last week, I have to admit my favorite local park has kind of lost its place in my heart.I mean, sure, it’s got pretty pagodas and cool statues and a weird white girl running around in spandex pants. (Ahem, me again.)
But where’s the action and excitement and the anti-gravity badminton rackets?
I seriously think those waterfowl are going to have to step things up a notch. Like start giving me something to appreciate, if you know what I mean.
Have a favorite park? Tell me all about it.
Shall step in your footsteps and also marvel at the delights of Beijing parks while there, though if I keep expanding my list of things to do I will soon have to give up my precious sleep in favour of seeing it all!
Ooo, you really must go to the Temple of Heaven park. It was probably my favorite stop in Beijing (besides all that Great Wall stuff).
Ok, first, you never fail to make me laugh so hard my belly muscles get cramped.
Second, I am also OBSESSED with the Temple of Heaven Park! I led an educational tour to Beijing this February with 42 teens from Boston, and in our subsequent articles about the trip, 60% of the photos featured were from that park: http://www.aroundtheworldl.com/category/learning/student-travel-stories/ including photos of locals doing dancing aerobics to “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” sword fighting practice, and us doing back-bends in front of that gorgeous main temple.
Oh, and RESPECT for running that 10k!!!
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That park was enough of a crazy show… I can’t even imagine bringing 42 American teens there! Woah. You are THE WOMAN.
I totally prefer the nice Wuxi parks to the Beijing ones. Peace and quiet, I say. I was in a Saigon park this morning when a heroin kid hit me up for 5 cents while kids were playing on a swing set over astroturf. Not a natural blade of grass in sight. Consider yourself lucky, young lady! Anti-gravity badminton racquets? Meh…
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Hmmm… you say this as if you’ve SEEN the Wuxi parks firsthand. Like you’ve been lurking around my neighborhood, perhaps?
Puhlease. You said it yourself. Who in their right mind would CHOOSE to visit Wuxi!?? LOL. Just kidding!
I visited Temple of Heaven Park last December. It’s huge and pretty. But it was too cold during the winter, I didn’t spend as much time as I wanted too
I’ve never been to Wuxi though, sounds like a quiet place to relax
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Yes, it has been very relaxing. Maybe a bit TOO relaxing — hence the dent in my sofa cushion!
What a gorgeous park!!!!!! You should really meet my friend when you’re in Shanghai next time, you would LOVE her!
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Unfortunately, I’m not in China much longer — 3 more weeks in Wuxi & then a few weeks of traveling before I head home in July.
The parks & bridges in Wuxi look soo pretty! Like so, so, sooooo preeetyyy! I want to go and see all the prettiness. Yeah, I just have boring Chicago parks here where people don’t really do any of that Beijing cool stuff.
I’m still getting over the prettiness. And the nacho platter! (I’m drooling right now.) And um, can I come sleep on your couch? I promise I will love it like my very own couch.:)
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Well, I leave Wuxi in 3 weeks so you better get a move on it, honey! And, sadly, the couch won’t be coming with me.
Oh no! no couch! will it go to a lovely family… with kids?
Let’s see if I don’t make it to China by um next week or so then I hope to see you in the States!
Priya recently posted..How I Left the Country with a Complete Stranger [Part One]
I can’t decide if that statue makes me want to eat all of the bananas in China (before they eat me!) or never eat another banana again…
Also, what is up with that badminton video?! I assume it must be some kind of scam where they mesmerize you with their skills so that you don’t realize someone has stolen your wallet… With such powers comes great responsibility!
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I really hope those guys weren’t using their wizardry for evil. But you do have a good point… luckily, I managed to make it out of the experience unscathed and with my wallet still with me.
I spent a week stranded in Hanoi, Vietnam with no money, so I made it a goal to see all of the parks! It was a lot of walking (it was far too hot to run and I had no cash for a taxi), but the parks were beautiful and they all had a lake in the middle.
However, I also understand your Big City Envy. I had that a few times when I was teaching in a small town in Thailand. Are you teaching in China? Or how did you end up there? I’d like to go there next…
Love your blog.
Yep, I teach at a university here. I’d be happy to answer any of your questions about teaching in China if you have them!
Uh. What’s up with the smiling banana???
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Don’t ask. It’s best not to know.
Yeah, the banana is pretty awesome, even if a bit random haha
Temple of Even Temple is also one of my favorite in Beijing… you forgot to mention people using a huge brush for writing ancient Chinese characters on the floor with water.
Another spot where there is a massive market for single children is People Square, close to exit 16 of the subway, in Shanghai.
I didn’t see any of the people writing with the huge brush while I was there — I must have missed them. I did see that in Xi’an while I was there & really loved it. So cool!
I`m in Tokyo- here the adults also like to really engage in the park life. Group jump roping is high on the list of activities, as well as chase, hide and seek, and playing of all instruments banned by your apt complex. Good to know that match making is available in parks in China- for future reference.
What? I lived in Kobe for 3 years and we didn’t have any kind of crazy park shenanigans like that in my area. I’m totally jealous. I would love to see adults doing group jump roping.
A marriage market? Thank God, at least I know where to go when I get desperate.
Ha ha! Actually you’ll have to send one of your parents (or a hired match-maker) there.
Smiling banana is definitely weird. A smiling apple is not.
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Probably the weirdest sculpture there is a pear with an ear in it. Ewww, right? I didn’t put it in the post for fear it would make everyone vomit.
The senior citizens have gotta be somewhere in Wuxi, maybe you haven’t found their special place yet? Or they run and hide when they hear “big-foot” coming!!
Green Lake Park in Kunming (which I think is smaller than Wuxi) has the oldies playing mandolins and singing opera in falsetto- kinda like chalk down a blackboard! And mahjong, dancing, tai chi etc.
there’s a challenge before you leave: find Wuxi’s “secret pensioner society”! If that’s not too challengey for you.
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Yes, it’s possible I’ve scared them off with my Sasquatch-ness. There are some parks in downtown Wuxi that have lots of old people doing different stuff — but that’s kind of a trek from where I live. I think the parks around me aren’t quite as active just because there aren’t so many old people living in this area. I live on a huge university campus which is right across the street from another huge university campus. So most of the people I see here are college-aged. But I’ll keep looking!
Too freaking awesome, Sally.
I love parks and little places like this where you could spend hours just people watching.
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Aren’t they the best? Such a fun way to spend an afternoon in a new city!
The huge and long history country like China, expectantly, it has huge place for forming parks and many historic cultures and ancient buildings can be seen. Good post! Different activities and cultures can be shown at the parks. I seldom believe the wizardry things in my life! Apparently, “Practice Make Perfect’, they do the exercise or action with great patience continuously! You wouldn’t lose your wallet unless you have ” body-contact” with somebody!
Do they have these kinds of parks in Malaysia, Mr. Choi? I never saw anything there quite like it.
hmmm.. looks like fun! China, is on my top of lists to visit this year because its rich in culture, traditions, and historical places.
My absolute favourite park was Summer Palace park in Beijing! I loved walking through the park, and unexpectedly coming across walzing couples – just too cute. It was also the time when the trees were blossoming with cherry blossoms. Lovely!
I have yet to go to Summer Palace, but everyone raves about it. I need to go!
I cannot wait till I am over 60 and move to Beijing. I am going to start practicing my knitting, monkey bar skills and dancing right now. Did I mention I have two unmarried children. I had better get their C.V.’s up to date. Bye.
Ha ha. Yes, make sure to include height, weight, income & karaoke favorite songs on those CVs. All the important stuff!
My favorite park in Beijing is definitely the Temple of Heaven. I never expected to be that huge!4 hours later and I have not seen the whole park.
But Beijing in general is huge. I remember it took me 17 minutes to circle the city block that my hotel was located on!
kelly@thehungryegghead recently posted..Staring into Trees
I know! I thought it would just be a bunch of temples. I was amazed there was so much going on in that park.
That banana smile monstrosity that you call a “statue” shall haunt my dreams tonight.
Now, I also know where to go if I ever want a Chinese sugar daddy that works out.
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Yes, but you’ll have to send your mom or dad to the marriage market for you. Going yourself would just be too desperate.
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Aww, thanks, DebbZ!
Miss Sally, In Malaysia,Wherever there is a housing garden,it has a park, but small, like the size of a basket court.Just few children playing objects will be installed on it. There is no way to compare with China park!
wow – awesome. We are always so focused on dog parks … we might be missign out! (that banana IS weird … but the Pear … good call).
Lots of the parks in China allow dogs (I think… or at least I always saw lots of dogs there). You should check them out.
That would be awesome – nothing like having an on location scout! In spandex running gear with fanny pack…LMAO!