By Chen Anqi (Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2007-11-27 11:17

Heading indoors to escape the cold doesn't have to mean watching the same old DVDs again. Here are some  warming ways to get your weekend kicks:

LASER TAG

Star Trooper Laser Tag center is a subterranean battleground for squads of weekend warriors aiming for fun with a laser gun. A 15min game costs 40 yuan each for groups of 4-14, subsequent games cost 30 yuan per player. Groups can reserve the arena for 1,280 yuan per hour Tuesday through Friday. Basement of building 316, Wangjing West Garden, Chaoyang District. 6475-8329.

BOWLING

Ten-pin bowling is old-school fun for all ages. Besides the 100 bowling lanes for which it is named, Gongti 100 has ping-pong rooms, kiddy rides, a games arcade and cheap beer. 8 Gongti Xilu, 010-65522688

SKATING

Get in some practice for the outdoor skating season at one of the capital's ice-rinks. Le Cool on the ground floor of China World Mall (6505-5776) offers 90min sessions for 30 yuan during the week, and 50 yuan on weekends, including skate hire. On a budget? Go retro at New Trend Rollerskating World, Baishiqiao Lu Haidian (6218-4225). Girls pay 5 yuan on weekdays and 7 yuan on weekends, while guys pay 8 yuan on weekdays and 15 yuan on weekends.

MARTIAL ARTS

Want to release that pent-up aggression and get fit in the process? Black Tiger Gym has classes in Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian jiujitsu, taught by world champions. Suite 906, Bldg 9, Jianwai SOHO, Chaoyang District (131 2042 9724)

HOT YOGA

This is the workout guaranteed to make you sweat, no matter how cold the weather is. Bikram hot yoga is a series of 26 postures practiced in a heated room. Fine-Yoga teaches Hot yoga and other styles at 2 studios. SOHO New Town (85896414) and Pinnacle Plaza (139 1120 9563).

MUSEUM

Culture vultures should drop by Beijing Capital Museum (010-63370491), where a major exhibition of ancient Chinese Painting show is currently on show. 9 am to 4pm and 20 yuan for the ticket. Take Metro line 1 and get off at Muxidi station.

HOTPOT

It doesn't get much heartier than hunks of mutton boiled in a communal pot of firey, oily brew then smothered in thick sesame sauce. For sensory and caloric overload, head to Ding Ding Xiang, 14 Dongzhimen Waidongjie (64172546). Or the classy Hatsune restaurant offers a lighter, Japanese take on the classic DIY stew. C Building, Heqiao Mansion, Guanghua Rd. Chaoyang District. 010-65813939. Take bus 710 or 908 and get off at Guanghua lu.

KTV

Karaoke means wan'r for any self-respecting Chinese, whatever the season. Recline in your private room, downing booze and chomping on fruit platters between bouts of warbling. Party World, 28 Andingmen Dongjie. (010-58113888). 60RMB/hour before midnight and cheaper after.

READING

Burying your nose in a book, hot chocolate on hand, is one of the nicest ways to waste a wintry weekend. Find English fiction and non-fiction books at the Foreign Languages Bookstore or the Xinhua Bookstore, both on Wangfujing Street, or join the lending library at the Bookworm in Sanlitun. Membership 200 yuan for 6 months or 300 yuan for one year.

SHOPPING

Zhongguancun Shopping Mall offers 40-80 per cent off more than 300 famous brands of apparel, shoes, sports and leisure goods and home furnishings. Labels found here are the same ones sold at mainstream shopping malls and boutiques in China and abroad. Zhongguancun E-center, 52 Beisihuan Xilu, Haidian District.