Blue sky days in Beijing are a cause for celebration and this perfect day at Houhai Lake reflects the essence of summer. The buzzing area is home to scores of trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques that line the lake’s willowtree-lined edges. Pedicabs do a roaring trade taking visitors around the area and into the surrounding hutongs(alleyways) and local swimmers use the lake to cool off and exercise. For anyone visiting Beijing, Houhai is well worth a visit. A blue sky summer day is a bonus not to be wasted.