Ice on lakes too thick for boating and too thin for skating
By admin on 2014-12-29

Ice on lakes too thick for boating and too thin for skating, says tourism advocate

Traditionally lively Shichahai Lake is quieter than normal these days due to slowly melting ice and the repair of a 500-year-old bridge, said the Beijing Tourist Information Center.

The lake becomes a skating rink when it is frozen from December to February and is usually open to boats the rest of the year.

The lake was open for skating from Dec 29 to Feb 5 this winter. But the erratic temperatures since have made the lake unsafe for any activity.

"As the temperature was volatile during February and early March, the ice is too thick for boating and too thin for skating now," said Corey Niu, advisor with the Beijing Tourist Information Center. "Currently, no visitor is allowed to step on the lake because of safety concerns."

According to Niu, the lake is normally open to boats and cruises by early March.

"The temperature in February and March was much lower than usual so the ice may still last a bit longer," said Niu. "Visitors must wait at least another week before the lake will be opened to boats."

A boat rental company staff member surnamed Zhu said repair work on the 500-year-old Yinding bridge, which separates Shichahai into a south part (Qianhai) and north part (Houhai), will also affect cruises.

Boats will not be able to go under the bridge while it is under repair, limiting them to a much smaller space, said Zhu.

The bridge was reportedly cracking from years of pedestrian and vehicle use. This is the third time it has been repaired since 1950.

Pedestrians will reportedly be able use a pontoon to cross the narrow gap between shores that the bridge spans during the repair work.