In the shadow of a palace, Beijing’s uncles defy a swimming ban to cool off
- Posted on August 24, 2026
- By The Age
- 6 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
Despite official restrictions, elderly residents of Beijing continue their cherished tradition of swimming near the Summer Palace throughout the year. Wang Jianbao, a determined 92-year-old, exemplifies this cultural practice by commuting daily on his tricycle from March to November. This story explores how local communities maintain their health and wellness routines while navigating government regulations, highlighting the tension between public safety policies and traditional recreational activities in urban China.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
In the shadow of a palace, Beijing’s uncles defy a swimming ban to cool off
Wang Jianbao, 92, makes the 40-minute trip on his tricycle every day, from crisp March through to chilly November, for a dip in the shadow of Beijing’s Summer Palace.
