Located in the heart of Beijing’s central business district, just north of the newly completed CCTV Tower, Tuanjiehu Park easily takes the cake for a convienent respite from the summer heat. While certainly not a fountain of youth, it still draws all walks of life from across the city – tattooed gangsters and children share inner tubes while lady boys in banana slings contest for sand space with the elderly. There is always a motley crew trying to catch a little sun or enjoy a quick run down a water slide. Just be wary of friends trying to bury you in the sand. Still, if you close your eyes and listen closely to the wave generator, you might as well be at the beach.
