Skate of mind

Quiksilver skateboarder Xu Ying, who’s been riding in Beijing for eight years, picks his top spots in town for skaters to rip it up

Best for newbies The square behind the Bird’s Nest stadium

If you’re feeling uneasy about skateboarding for the first time, the area is great because there’s little chance that you’ll get hurt. The concrete is completely flat and smooth and allows for easy riding. But there’s enough to keep you interested when you get better: there are a lot of benches for ollies and baby grinds.

National Stadium Olympic Green, 18 Beichen Dong Lu, Chaoyang district. 国家体育场 (鸟巢), 朝阳区北 辰东路18号

Best hangout St Joseph’s (Dongtang), Wangfujing Church

Every weekend, loads of us go down to ride the stairs and rails in front of the church – this is the main spot in town for skaters, and it’s a great for picking up tips. We know the people who run the church, and they’re happy with us outside. When they have a service, we skate somewhere else.

St Joseph’s (Dongtang), Wangfujing Church 74 Wangfujing (500m north of Wangfujing subway station), Dongcheng district. 王府井天 主教堂, 东城区王府井大街74号.

Best all-rounder Guanghua Lu mini-ramp

This place was built by Club Sandwich owner Elijah Kislevitz and Nathan Mettler, the China manager of skate brand Independent Truck Company, and it’s the only miniramp you’ll find in Beijing. You can do pretty much anything on it, from grinds to railstands and ollies. It’s a favourite spot of mine because it isn’t intimidating – normally we put on some music and have a few beers.

Mini ramp at Guanghua Lu 8 Guanghua Dong Lu (behind the parking lot of the Heqiao building), Chaoyang district. 朝阳区光华 东路8号

Best for tricks Behind Wanda Plaza

This place is really smooth, and it has lots of things to play on that would look totally useless to the non-skater. There are loads of curbs, benches, stairs and banks.

Wanda Plaza 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang district. 万达广场, 朝阳区 建国路93号

And if you’re feeling dangerous Jinrongjie

Jingrongjie (Financial Street) is a good place to skate, especially on and around Fuchengmenwai Dajie, because there are loads of ledges and small obstacles such as bumps to grind on. If you’re serious, there’s a steep 13-stair that no one has pulled off yet. Everyone who’s tried has crashed – I’ve hurt myself the last couple of times. But I’m hoping to master it soon.

Jinrongjie (near Fuchengmenwai Dajie), Xicheng district. 西城区阜 成门 Interview by Clara Sun