As it becomes warmer, more and more icecream shops have promoted many kinds of products with various tastes.

Haagen Dazs

The most expensive ice cream in town remains popular. Their selection includes a chocolate fondue to dip ice cream balls into.

1 Jianwai Dajie (6505-6527); all 1/F at venues below: St Regis, 21 Jianwai Dajie (6532-6661); Wangfujing's Oriental Plaza (8518-6071) and Sun Dong An (6559-6277); Grand Pacific Shopping Mall, Xidan (6616-4122).

DQ

DQ has the most chain stores in Beijing. As in the US, they sell mostly soft ice cream, including Blizzards, of nearly 20 choices to choose, with nuts and fruits. At department stores in Anzhen Hualian (6443-6880 Ext 5233); Huapu (6580-1797); SOHO (8580-3132); Landao (6507-0328); Sun Dong An (6528-0952); also at Beijing Zoo (8838-9765); Xinjiekou (6617-1021) and Xizhimenwai (6221-6043).

Baskin Robins

A different ice cream everyday, 31 days a month. There are soft and hard serve ice creams, iced coffee, ice pies and cakes, sundaes and milk shakes. A single ice cream ball costs 12 yuan.

Sun Dong An (8160-0563); Huapu (6580-2324); Guomao (6505-6039); Holiday Inn Lido (6436-7643); Ritan, (6501-8864); Asian Games Village, (8497-2472); East Gate Plaza, (6418-2339); Wangjing (6470-8246); Xidan (8160-8945).

Ti Amo

This Italian gelato shop's choice of 40 ice creams can be ordered separately, or together. The owners claim that their ice creams contain less fat than other brands. 15-100 yuan.

Grand Constellation, Huayuan Jie, Xidan. 5851-8227.