To celebrate the 860th anniversary of Beijing as the capital, the Dongcheng District Tourism Commission recently introduced five themed cycling routes: Celebrity Tour, Traditional Chinese Culture Tour, Creative Culture Tour, Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour, and World Heritage Tour. It is reported that these five routes will be officially launched during the Imperial City Cultural Tourism Festival in May.
By releasing these cycling routes, the 7.8-kilometer central axis stretching from Yongdingmen in the south to Bell and Drum Towers in the north will be developed into a new tourism brand. According to Li Xuemin, Director of the Dongcheng District Tourism Commission, the five cycling routes are designed with different themes based on their respective districts. For example, the central Celebrity Tour connects historic residences of notable figures, the northern Traditional Chinese Culture Tour is ideal for family rides with educational value, the northern Creative Culture Tour offers a taste of modern fashion within old Beijing, the southern Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour explores various traditional crafts, and the World Heritage Tour runs along the central axis.
Reporters found that each cycling route includes a one-day itinerary from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to covering well-known attractions such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Nanluoguxiang, and Qianmen Street, the routes also feature food experiences like drinking fermented mung bean drink (douzhi) and eating fried liver. They incorporate intangible cultural heritage hubs such as the Hundred Crafts Workshop and Enamel Factory, offering a detailed and well-rounded schedule of food, drinks, entertainment, and activities. The route designs reflect both the traditional culture of Dongcheng as the former imperial city and showcase the district’s modern, fashionable transformation.
“Dongcheng is rich in historical and cultural resources. Cycling through the area can spark many new creative ideas for visitors. You might ride just 10 meters and discover an old mansion, another 20 meters and find a time-honored brand, then 30 meters later come across an imperial-era building. Residents can experience freshness in a city they thought they knew well,” said Li Xuemin. “Some residents may not have time to travel far but can still take a mini urban trip by bike—the simplest mode of transport—spending just half a day exploring.”
“Cycling is a low-carbon, environmentally friendly way to travel, and it also helps Dongcheng in its current efforts to improve and upgrade the environment around scenic areas and protect historical relics,” Li Xuemin added.
The five cycling tourism plans launched by Dongcheng District this time integrate the area’s existing 100-plus bicycle rental stations, with adjustments made to increase density. According to Li Xuemin, considering the convenience for cyclists, the district has adjusted the locations of rental stations around major tourist spots such as the Temple of Heaven, Qianmen, Nanluoguxiang, and the Confucius Temple. A total of 107 rental stations have been set up, offering over 5,000 bicycles.
The cycling route maps have now been designed and will be printed and placed in public locations such as district tourism information centers, administrative service halls, and hotel lobbies.
It is reported that in coordination with the cycling tours, Dongcheng District will also roll out additional activities including cultural salons, food tours, and competitions to select the most delicious hometown dishes in Beijing, further enriching the cycling experience.