In summer, Chinese people tend to take short walks after dinner when the hot weather cools down. This after-dinner walk not only allows people to enjoy the relaxing breeze in the evening, but also helps with digestion and promotes body health. As the Chinese saying goes, if you take a walk of 100 steps everyday after dinner, you will be able to live to 100 years old. So let's take a stroll together to drive summer heat away and to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Here's a list of places ideal for after-dinner walks.
University Campuses
University campuses, full of young enthusiasm, academic seriousness and quiet atmosphere rarely found in metropolitan areas, are always the top choice for an after-dinner stroll.
In Beijing, there is the famous college area in Haidian district, which houses Peking University known for its long academic history, Tsinghua University integrating cutting-edge modern architecture with archaic ones, as well as Beijing Language and Culture University which apparently hosts the largest number of overseas students among all universities in the capital.
Shanghai may not have such a concentrated area of universities, and with the various campuses spread throughout the city, more Shanghainese will have access to them. There are three nice campuses to walk around in: Shanghai International Studies University which has a European atmosphere, Tongji University with its unique German origin and a long history, and the famous Fudan University which has the title of "Peking University in southern China".
Public Parks
If there is a park near where you live, then you are blessed. Make a good use of this park and take a walk there with your loved ones. If you don't have a park nearby, then take some time to find a park and spend some time there. The benefits will surely make your time worthwhile. Here are some suggestions of parks to visit in Beijing and Shanghai:
Beijing
Yuandadu Park
As its name "Yuandadu" suggests, this park houses relics from the capital city during the Yuan Dynasty. It boasts a small creek lined by distinctive bars. So the night scene there is fun and beautiful.
Location: 200 meters south to University of International Business and Economics, No.12, Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District
Beihai Park
Nicknamed "lovers' park", Beihai Park is full of couples in love during the evenings. Here people can enjoy the old Beijing flavor while walking in beautiful scenery.
Location: No.1 Wenjinjie
Tel: 010-64033225
Shanghai
Minhang Sports Park
Apart from doing various sports activities including boating and riding tandem bicycles, people come to Minhang Sports Park to camp there for the night. No admission ticket is needed.
Location: No.456, Xinzhenlu, Minhang District
Guilin Park
A rather quiet area accompanied by delicate garden view which is filled with various osmanthus flowers. This garden is designed as a typical classical garden in southern China, dotted with distinctive pavilions, covered walkways, and winding creeks.
Location: No.1 Guilinlu, Xuhui District
On the street
For those who have neither a university nor a park nearby, go find a quiet street and take a stroll. Having spent a day at the office wrestling with paperwork, we should then spend the evening in an easy way. With the cool breeze touching your face, buy some fun snacks, like deep-fried smelly tofu, or fresh lotus seeds from a street stall, and bargain with small vendors for a cute item. Here are some famous streets for after-dinner walks.
Beijing Houhai Street With various bars lining one side, and the other bordering a calm lake, this may be the best street for an after-dinner walk.
Location: opposite to the northern gate of Beihai Park, No.1 Wenjinjie
Shanghai The Bund The symbol of Shanghai for quite a long time, the Bund gives a full display of Shanghai, both old and new. The walkway along the river has a sweet name as "lovers' dyke", which is filled with couples in love at night.
Location: downtown Shanghai, along the Huangpu River
Tips for taking a walk at night
1. Check the opening hours of the park you want to visit, as not all parks are open at late night.
2. Don't walk alone in dark areas.
3. Apply some mosquito repellent before going out.
4. For women, don't wear very short skirts when going out for a walk at night. 5. Take some money with you in case you want to buy something. （實習編輯：顧萍）