Never mind Beijing’s dolled-up youth having it large at Sanlitun’s superclubs or Gulou’s indie dives. Their parents grandparents are the true party cats in this town. They are literally dancing until dawn. Well, from dawn in any case. Here are 4 reasons why Beijing is bouncing for the blue rinse brigade.
1. Beijing’s parks are like social centres
Mosey on down to Beijing’s green spaces (like Jingshan Park) from about 7am and it will be heaving with partying seniors, mashing up the genres by jamming live under pavilions, line dancing, performing tai-chi, ballroom dancing or group singing sessions. This truly is a Beijing spectacle not to be missed – set the alarm clock!
2. Keeping fit is free and easy
Dotted with sturdy outdoor gyms and municipal ping-pong tables, Beijing is a super place for folks of advancing years to stay in tip-top physical condition. The fellow in this video is 85 years young, and we filmed him exercising at one of the larger open-air gyms beside Houhai Lake.
3. Parlour games are all the rage
Stroll up any hutong alley and you’ll clock a scene akin to this one. Venerable seniors playing cards, draughts, chess or other similar low-tech forms of entertainment (often with a few banknotes changing hands), and always with an enthusiastic crowd looking on. You’ll doubtless stumble upon several mah-jong dens too.
4. Old-school snacks are back in fashion
Although older Beijingers have lived through seriously lean times, austere dishes from bygone eras remain close to the heart. And these days, such local snacks like this one are making a comeback. Called madoufu, it’s actually the by-product of tofu making, mixed with pickled veggies and fried in lamb fat. It might look a little, well, sludgy, but it tastes delicious. Honest.
About the author: Tom O’Malley is Propaganda Secretary at Bespoke Beijing. A lifestyle journalist, guidebook author, glutton and bon vivant, Tom is a tireless crusader for fine food, hospitality and tourist experiences in China’s capital.