Baiting Game: Six Spots to Get Your Fishing Fix
From the humble banks of the Wenyu River, to the lakes of Houhai, or the ponds of Ritan Park, it’s clear Beijingers love their fishing. A stress-free pastime that allows for swigging a beer and a healthy bout of contemplation, fishing has to be right up there with one of the most satisfying hobbies there is – just ask all the old boys with thread on a stick fishing Liangma River. If you're looking for a relaxing weekend, keep reading for a list of places you can put together your tackle box and fish in Beijing.
While there are inner-city areas to fish, the truth is that most of the prime locations are located in the suburbs of Beijing and the most scenic of fishing holes might require a trip beyond the ring roads. Changping, Fengtai and Huairou all feature decent spots.
Our fair city is, of course, landlocked, so it isn’t the most lucrative of markets for recreational tackle manufacturers and traders, which might explain some of the primitive rods you see on a walk around your local park. There are, however, ways to get hold of some professional standard gear to get you started.
Be warned: Except if you’re fishing certified lakes or farms, “catch and release” is definitely the way to go. Fishing in Beijing and its greater regions can be a fun hobby, but there are safer ways to feed yourself.
Chaoyang
Crab Island Holiday Resort (蟹岛度假村) in the northeast of Chaoyang District offers a pleasant leafy environment with plenty of species waiting to be pulled out. The cost is just RMB 10 for three hours, and you can pay to keep what you catch. 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District (8431 1865/8431 1919) 朝阳区蟹岛路 1号
Beijing Hirun Hengda Tackle Shop
5-1-2605 Guomei Diyi Cheng, 3 Yuan, Qingnian Road Xili, Chaoyang District (5206 7931)
Changping
Penglai Fishing Garden (蓬莱垂钓园) offers the use of its four fishing ponds for RMB 18. The biggest pond on the site contains carp or li yu (鲤鱼) which, should you be very hungry, you can “catch and keep” all week long (RMB 80-150). Two ponds are strictly “catch and release” and offer chub or lian yu (鲢鱼) and other seasonal delights. Inside Penglai Orchard, Changping District (138 0107 2968) 昌平区蓬莱果园院内
Haidian
Beijing Bibo Fishing Shop
West Fourth Ring Road 3100, 3/F Golden Resource Mall, Yuanda Lu, west of Suzhou Bridge, Haidian District (8886 1286)
Huairou
Yougu Shengtang Fishing (幽谷神潭) allows free fishing for trout in the mountains inside the natural reserve park. North of Duanshuling Village, Huairou District (6162 2569) 怀北镇椴树岭村北
Liu Ding Fishing Shop (六汀) known as liu ting to the locals is located close to Yougu Shengtang and sells poles and supplies from at a reasonable price (RMB 10-1000). East of Gaoliying Zhen traffic light, Changping District (1364 1115 307)
A version of this article originally appeared on page 16 in the July issue of the Beijinger. Click here to read the issue.
Photo: kptice on Flickr
