Ping Pong, Beijing

You can see people playing ping pong everywhere in Beijing and throughout China.
Don't be afraid to initiate a friendly challenge but also don't be surprised when an eleven year old Chinese girl kicks your foreign butt if you decide to start keeping score.
In nearly all China's major cities you can find ping pong clubs where people pay by the hour to play their favorite sport. If you show up alone then an immediate search will begin to recruit somebody in the neighborhood to play with you.
Playing ping pong in China with Chinese people is an exciting activity that all tourists should attempt during their visit to this country.
The Chinese word for play is "da" and you already know the word for "ping pong" which is universal, so just say "da ping pong" and somebody in China will help you find the nearest table.

Equipment: Beijing is a great place to buy ping pong paddles and balls. There is a street of sports equipment shops east of the Temple of Heaven on Tiyuguan Road.
Ping pong paddles and balls are also available at most large Chinese department stores.

You can see people in Beijing playing ping pong everywhere; Forbidden City, temple courtyards, police stations, factories, even gas stations!
In this photo two schoolboys practice ping pong while waiting for the #10 bus. They already had paddles and ball, just needed a bench and a two bricks!

Equipment: You can purchase ping pong paddles and balls at any Chinese department store or at sports shops.
There are some good athletic gear shops on Sports Institute Road (Tiyuguan Lu) east of the Temple of Heaven.