Making a Splash
In Ditan Park's Water Carnival,some players donned bathing suits for a series of water football matches, where they ran amid fountains on the 200-square-meter field. It was a unique way to beat Beijing's summer heat,though autumn has arrived ahead of time.

The teams taking part in last Thursday's game are among 64 competing for a big prize."If you enjoy sun, water and surf with your soccer - this is the place... and get ready for ultimate water ball!" said Huang Jiangxiang, former CCTV football commentator and ambassador for the water football competition.

This is just the start of the 2007 Water Carnival at Ditan Park, which is hosting a series of activities from June 30 to August 15 for those who don't mind getting wet. A Chinese rose garden spread over more than 20,000 square meters, Yuejiyuan at Ditan Park, will be divided into three parts, Waterplay areas, Fun Water Park for kids, and Water Nightlife, to welcome H2O lovers.

In the Waterplay areas, it's fun for all with water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds (water playgrounds), lazy rivers. It's a barefoot environment where you can swim, and is also equipped for artificial surfing or bodyboarding, with a wave pool and Flow Rider.

In the kid-friendly area, parents can share splashtime with kids, including activities catering for little ones of different ages. There will be nightlife water activities as well, such as a Water Disco.

The sauna-like weather felt over the past few weeks in Beijing has made water parks and swimming pools popular in downtown neighborhoods, says organizer Yu Nan.

"However, the shortage of water entertainment facilities cannot meet the demand of millions of urban people hoping to cool off and chill out," says Yu.

"Now, we have the water carnival, and welcome, everyone!"