Beijing offers beautiful ice skaing

Shichahai Lakes in the summer

The three lakes in central Beijing have been named one of the 10 most beautiful places to ice skate during the winter in the world.

CNN recently compiled a list that includes Red Square in Moscow and Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

The article notes the lakes --, Houhai, Qinghai and Xihai, known collectively as Shichahai -- offer ice skating in a rink that is surrounded by historical architecture. The phoeo they used with the brief explanation shows the Drum and Bell towers, two Beijing landmarks, in the background.

While the lakes are bluely serene in the summer, they freeze over in the winter. Many people ice skate wearing every day shoes,, while others wear regular ice skates. They also push each other around on metal chairs.

If I were compiling the list, I also would have included Kunming Lake at Beijing's Summer Palace on the list. It's another popular place with ice skaters who can look up to Longevity Hill while they're on the ice.