Tai chi at dusk at the Temple of Heaven Park. (CRI Online)

If those scenes put you on edge, you can head to the Long Corridor where groups of people gather to belt out some karaoke. Or at the east gate, ballroom dancers cut a rug to Chinese pop classics. Particularly after dusk, the Temple of Heaven Park bears witness to the usual activities, as well as the unexpected.

Location: Yongdingmen East Street (S gate), or go to Tiantan East Gate subway station. Admission: 15 yuan for park entrance. Does not include entry to temples. Opening hours: 6am-9pm

By William Wang (CRI Online)