Chinese elderly favor exercise in parks

The photo taken on July 12, 2017 shows a group of elderly Chinese are singing songs at the Temple of Heaven Park for exercise. (Xinhuanet photo)

by Khonesavanh Latsaphao

BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhuanet) --A place in China particularly dear and near to the elderly is in the public parks where they seek health and friends.

Among the many parks, the Temple of Haven in central Beijing, is where many old people flock every morning to exercise.

An elderly surnamed Yang said that she goes to this park for exercise at around 08:45 every morning.

“At this park, we see a lot of elderly people. Here we are together to sing, dance and do Tai Chi or Chinese martial arts,” she said.

It is no wonder that many Chinese live long healthy lives, because many of them enjoy their exercise in the parks.

Yang also said that she is 79 years old, but when she was talking with journalists, she was happy and smiling all the time.

Young people in her family go to work and she comes to the park for exercise and meeting friends. “I won’t come in the evening because it is too hot at night compared to in the morning,” the elder said.

After doing exercise, she goes back home to cook by herself. She then has lunch with her husband. Yang said her husband does not come with her because he prefers reading at home and playing chess with friends.

In the Temple of Heaven park, there are hundreds of senior citizens just like Yang, who enjoy singing, dancing and doing Tai chi. Some even travel as far as ten kilometers to join their friends every morning. From their happy faces, one could tell that it’s all worth it.