Beijing Parks

Fan dancing in neighborhood formal formal park.

In my experience, the Chinese people appear to use parks and other public places much as we use our front porch or backyard. They gather to exercise, play cards, practice music, Tai Chi or traditional weapon practice as well as to simply socialize. In one park I watched a man creating patterns in the air with a kite. In another park I watched, in fascination, as a group of men and women practiced a fan dance.

A man creates a figure eight pattern with along kite attached to a wand. — Creating a pattern in the air in the Temple of Heaven Park.

During an evening stroll my first day in Beijing, I came across many groupings of chairs and tables placed deliberately under trees. I wondered who used set up these places and when they were used? Early the first morning of the workshop I was out walking and was amazed to find all sorts of things happening. A group of men were practicing martial arts with what looked like an elaborate spear. I also walked past two guys practicing their music to the accompaniment of a loud boom box. Some people were gardening while others sat and chatted in these outdoor living rooms.

Two men demonstrate the skill it takes to roll the spear around your body.

Another morning I went for my breakfast pancake returning to eat it in the small park in the complex where I stayed. There I watched a father trying to teach his young son the footwork required of expert badminton player. He was about as successful as most fathers, but they seemed to enjoy the time together.

A man playing the saxophone and another man playing a clarinet play in the park. — Two men practice their music to the accompaniment of a loud boom box.

A small boy swings at the shuttlecock his father has just hit towards him. — A father plays badminton with his son.

On my last day in Beijing, I returned to the earlier park where I had photographed the men practicing the traditional weapon practice. They let me try working with the spear and then, because it was hot, we retreated to the shade to sit and talk. They chatted about life in general. I could tell from the conversation when they kidded someone, when a point of contention was brought up and when they laughed at my lousy Chinese. It was clear they met almost every day, did their exercises, practiced their skills, and generally hung out together for the rest of the morning.

Six men stand holding thier martial art spears in the park. — The group of men who tried to teach me how to handle the spear as a martial art.

Tillman