• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Time Travel Turtle

A travel blog with stories beyond the brochure

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME
  • BY COUNTRY
    • WEST EUROPE
      • Belgium
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Liechtenstein
      • Luxembourg
      • Netherlands
      • Northern Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Switzerland
      • Wales
    • NORTH EUROPE
      • Estonia
      • Finland
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Norway
      • Sweden
    • SOUTH EUROPE
      • Cyprus
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Holy See
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Portugal
      • San Marino
      • Spain
    • EAST EUROPE
      • Austria
      • Belarus
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Montenegro
      • Poland
      • Serbia
    • NORTH ASIA
      • China
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Mongolia
      • North Korea
      • Tajikistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • SOUTH ASIA
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Myanmar
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Antigua & Barbuda
      • Belize
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • USA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
    • AFRICA
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • MIDDLE EAST
      • Jordan
      • Turkey
  • MOST POPULAR
    • The world’s oldest backpacker
    • Orangutans in Borneo
    • The need for speed
    • Trying to get out of the slum
    • The lake swamped with tourism
    • Journey into Dreamland
    • The village where life begins again
    • Is Cambodia safe for travellers?
    • Making the perfect gin and tonic
  • UNESCO

Staying young in old China

June 2, 2018 | Michael Turtle | 2 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven

As the years go by, the inevitably of age becomes a fear for many people. It wearies, slows and cripples even the most active souls of yesteryear.

Growing old is as timeless as the world from which we must one day pass from. Yet a denial of the undeniable has seen stories for generations of a ‘fountain of youth’ or, to many people, ‘the holy grail’.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

In Beijing, a group of elderly residents has found a holy grail of sorts. In the shadow of the city’s Temple of Heaven, they gather each morning to drink (figuratively-speaking) from the elixir of life. It’s not some mythical potion or ancient relic they’ve found, though. It’s a simple dose of exercise and fun.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

From the early hours every day, until the sun gets too hot in late morning, hundreds of senior citizens come to the large Beijing park that encircles the temple itself. And together, in community, they release their youth.

Walking through the grounds of the Temple of Heaven (which are about 3km2 in total), you find all sorts of activities going on.

Dozens of people are having a ballroom dancing lesson on one walkway, on another a group is practising a performance with flags.

An old woman sings to a crowd under a group of trees; an old man shows off his bird collection; some play cards and others discuss calligraphy.

Small groups of people play badminton or hacky-sack.

And near the centre of the park a large gathering of more than a hundred people chant and clap together in time to a song someone is leading, although everyone clearly knows the words already.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

Visiting the Temple of Heaven’s park

It’s fascinating to watch – and not just because there is such a variety of activity that every corner reveals another entertaining sight. No, it’s mainly fascinating because of the energy with which these ageing Beijing residents throw themselves into the games and groups.

There’s an image, often, of old people taking it easy in their later years, spending more time inside than out and not being overtly active. A trip to the Temple of Heaven Park contradicts all of this and puts many a young person to shame.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

I’m sure it’s not a uniquely Chinese thing but there are aspects of the culture that make this much more common than in many Western countries.

Firstly, the family homes these people live in are often small or crowded and encourage the residents to go outdoors.

Secondly, with less retirement homes and similar institutions, there isn’t a ready-made sense of community for these people and this is one of the best ways to socialise.

And, finally, this idea of group participation in cultural and sports demonstrations has always been much more ingrained in the Chinese culture.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing park with old people exercising

There may be no such thing as eternal life – or even a silver bullet to slow down the ageing process. But a visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing does prove that you don’t have to let old age get the better of you.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. MB Pedersen |

    September 19, 2017 at 5:00 am

    Reply

    I had the privilege of traveling to Beijing and witnessing this first hand. I am a registered nurse working on my Masters Degree in Nursing Education. One of the things I have recently learned about are NORCs (naturally occurring retirement communities) causing me to remember what I witnessed in Beijing. What a great way for older adults to maintain community, stay connected and remain engaged!

    • Michael Turtle |

      November 14, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      Reply

      I love the idea of ‘naturally occurring retirement communities’ – what a cool way to think about older people coming together to exercise their bodies and their minds. And, in this case, I’m sure it’s as much about the mental health as the physical. I’m sure you’ve found this yourself in your studies. Great, also, that you can use this experience on your travels for your masters degree! 🙂

Primary Sidebar

This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

Want Occasional Updates?

Sign up to be the first to hear the latest about the adventures of Time Travel Turtle. You'll also get access to special offers and exclusive news.
Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Search

  • PRIVACY POLICY