Beijing residents flock to frozen water bodies to enjoy ice sports as some COVID-19 curbs relaxed

China’s capital Beijing is in grip of a cold wave which has frozen the water bodies. Prasar Bharati Beijing reports that residents flocked to a frozen canal at the city’s Olympic park and indulged in ice sports on Saturday against the backdrop of iconic Bird’s nest stadium which also hosted Beijing Winter Olympics last year.

As city relaxed few COVID-19 curbs this week after the country was stunned by unprecedented civil unrest against the Zero COVID regime; young, old and kids were seen enjoying ice skating, ice hockey, sledging and other picnic activities – making a chilly winter day lively.

Ice Skating has been particularly popular in the northern China. After Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 which was marked by severe COVID-19 restrictions and many controversies, China’s ice and snow industry got a push. State media reported that it is likely to top 1 trillion yuan in 2025.