Smooth cruising

If you're tired of taking a taxi down the capital's crowded ring roads, or even riding the new subway lines, it might be time to considering Beijing by boat.

China's capital doesn't have a major river - the Rhine or the Thames - but there are plenty of small canals and tour-boat operators offering a chance for a late summer cruise.

One recommended route is along the Kunyu River in western Beijing, which runs south to north between Bayi Lake pier and the lovely Summer Palace. The one-hour tour promises you an enjoyable ride past several attractions, including the Millennium Monument, the picturesque Yuyuantan Lake and the landmark CCTV Tower.