Life of Guangzhou - Healthy Lifestyles: Jogging Spots in Guangzhou

With our lives becoming more and more sedentary, a number of serious health issues are appearing and hitting even young people. Office workers are afflicted with back problems due to bad posture, the obesity rate is growing at an alarming rate and the number of people suffering from allergies is increasing.

One reason for this is the lack of day-to-day physical activity. With taxis, personal vehicles, elevators and escalators, people spend most of the day in a state of immobility. As the famous Chinese doctor, Zhong Nanshan reminded us at the 200-day countdown to the Guangzhou Asian Games, doing sport - such running and swimming - is the best way to stay fit and truly celebrate the Olympic spirit.

Jogging has long been a common practice in the west and it is slowly appearing on the streets of Guangzhou. Some run to stay fit, others to lose weight, but all love the pleasure they get out of this activity and soon become regular runners.

SCENIC JOGGING ROUTES

1) Bin Jiang Road

Running parallel to the Pearl River and surrounded by flowers and trees, it is an ideal place for jogging. The riverside is quiet in the early morning before the city awakens.

2) Luhu Lake

Surrounded by green mountains and beautiful flowers, Luhu Lake is one of Guangzhou's most famous public parks. With the lake nearby, it is neither too cold nor too hot.

3) The University City

It is a place where college students live and study. The outer ring road is about a third of a marathon. With few vehicles and a special track for runners, it's an ideal training ground for long distance runs.

4) Ersha Island

Situated in the middle of the Pearl River, this picturesque island is a haven of peace amidst the city. On the island you'll find the Xinhai Concert Hall and the Guangdong Museum of Art. The park is currently being refurbished with new trees and plants.

5) Tianhe Park

Tianhe Park is like an oasis amongst modern buildings. With lots of vegetation and a large lake, the park is home to all kinds of plants.

6) Daifu Hill

With an elevation of 226.6 meters, Daifu hill is the second highest hill in Panyu district. Here you'll find lakes and a forest area with dense vegetation, a great way to escape city life for a few hours.

(By Estella Wang, David Keyton)