Ice breaker

In the middle of Beihai Park, on the lake that has now frozen over, two dragon-shaped ice sledges are racing against each other. Each sledge is being driven by five people, all armed with sticks used to propel themselves forward, and dressed in the traditional uniform of the Eight Banner Army from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

The performance is for our eyes only, as well as the occasional passerby. It is part of a rehearsal for a series of events that will take place between January 22 and 28 to usher in the New Year. And it is pretty unique, not just in terms of attire, but also in terms of activity; Skating and performing on the lake in Beihai has not happened for over a decade now, even though the lake has remained open to the public throughout this time.

However, this is not to suggest that skating and performing have never occurred in Beihai. Far from it - ice performances in Beihai have a rich history that stretches back centuries, and the people who work at the park are keen to emphasize this. "We really want to highlight its royal culture since it is a part of Beijing's history," said Yang Baoli, the Vice President of Beihai Park.