Jogging/running in China

[Liebkuchen]

Latest silly question

How popular is running in China? Do you see locals out running? Do they keep to parks, or can you run around town (or is this too dangerous with traffic?)

How are women out running perceived? I usually wear a t-shirt and running tights during the spring to Autumn and add a hoodie for the coldest weather. What do 30 something women wear in China when exercising outside? Would baggier jogging bottoms/ t-shirts be more appropriate?

I'm quite a sight at home (like a lobster boiling in a pot) so anything I could do to be a bit less conspicious would be appreciated

[kdavid]

I would never imagine running in Harbin. The sidewalks are not even, nor are most of the roads.

I knew someone who tried jogging once. He sprained his ankle within five minutes and never tried again.

A gym would be more appropriate.

[anonymoose]

Occasionally you see the odd jogger in Shanghai, although they are fairly few and far between, and often they are foreigners. The park is the most likely place to spot them.

On the other hand, many people go power-walking, again in the park. This tends to be men and women of the older generation.

Frankly, unless you wear a balaclava, you will almost certainly attract attention, whatever you do.

[Meng Lelan]

There used to be a running track at the university in Beijing where I was a student over a decade ago and I would go running there every morning, because Chinese cities and neighborhoods are just impossible for running as exercise. I was the only one who used it for running, the inside of the track was used for soccer mostly.

I visited the school a few years later only to discover a couple of high rises were built over where the track was. So no more track there.

[gougou]

Hmm, I just started running (in Beijing) last week and I've been running through the hutongs and around Houhai without problems. Probably I'm not a professional enough runner to realize that it's not possible...

[rezaf]

Before I used to do it but where I live(Shanghai,Zhangjiang) is so polluted that I had to stop.

[langxia]

If you are going to study at a university just go to the universitys sports ground, there should be plenty of students (and teachers) running (at least it is like that on my campus)

If you are not studying at a university you can maybe look if there is a universtiy nearby with a running track and just go there.

Edit : I just passed by our sportsground and at 21:40 local time there were around 2-300 people running powerwalking or walking on the running tracks, so university sportsgrounds seem to be the best option.

[歐博思]

Any of you guys happen to be at Tsinghua?

University sports fields are your best option, but recently at Tsinghua the guards have been checking ID at the gates so IDK if you can get in unless you attend there (idk what's up with ID checking; they weren't doing it before..)

[Brian US]

If you are in a city with high pollution, I would only run in a gym that filters their air well. You could also wear a sports air filter mask:

http://www.amazon.com/Respro-Techno-Contour-Face-Mask/dp/B000OYJUUS

The mask will draw more attention than a balaclava, but you will look less scary.