Frequently Asked Questions for Unicon X

Special Events

What is the Unicon X Honorary Banquet?

On Friday, August 4, at 7 p.m., the China Unicycling Association will invite the Unicon X Organizing Committee to a banquet to honor those who have helped organize Unicon X. The Unicon X Organizing Committee is made up of some of the main organizers of Unicon X and government officials.

Who should attend the IUF meeting?

On Tuesday, August 1, there will be an officer meeting. The officer meeting main agenda will include preparing for the public meeting. The public IUF meeting will be held the evening of Monday, August 7. The public IUF meeting is open to everyone with an interest in helping to promote our sport worldwide. We are all unpaid volunteers, and we are always looking for more people to get involved. The public IUF meeting will be conducted in Chinese, English, Japanese, and probably German.

What is the unicycle event at Tiananmen Square or 21st Century Monument?

During Unicon on Friday, August 4, the organizers are planning to have a unicycle event at Tiananmen Square, the center of Beijing. Because of the importance of the square, the organizers won't know for sure if they can use the square until just a few weeks before Unicon X. In case Tiananmen Square is not available, the new square near the city center, 21st Century Monument, will be used. Either way, Chinese media will be there to capture the event. Afterwards, unicyclists can either go back with the buses or load their unicycles on the buses and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in downtown Beijing. There is good shopping in this area as well as famous tourist areas such as the Forbidden City (adjacent to Tiananmen Square). Anyone who stays downtown can take a taxi or the subway back to the hotel.

Can I ride my unicycle at Tiananmen Square at a time other than during the official unicycle event?

Yes. At different times, two members of the delegation team rode in the square with no problem.

Can I ride my unicycle on the Great Wall?

Yes. On Wednesday, August 9, after the official ending of Unicon X, an optional visit to the Great Wall Mutianyu (in the Huairou district) is available. Bring your unicycle, as you will be able to ride on the Great Wall. This is not something that tourists can normally do. The CUA has received special permission from the government for this event. The tour includes the bus, tickets, lunch, toll fee, and guide. The only expense that will be up to the person is whether to take a cable car up to or down from the Great Wall. The cost of taking the cable car up to the Great Wall is 35 Yuan ($4 US) and going down is 20 Yuan ($2.50 US). Depending on the amount of partying the night before, it may be recommended to take the cable car up to the Great Wall. It is possible to ride down at least part of the way from the Great Wall. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to walk up or down from the Great Wall.

What about the optional tour Thursday, August 10?

On Thursday, after Unicon X has officially ended, a tour for Unicon X participants is available. The tour is of the Summer Palace in the morning and either the Temple of Heaven or the Forbidden City in the afternoon. In the evening, there is an additional option to see the Chinese Traditional Acrobatics Show. The price includes the bus, all tickets, lunch, dinner, toll fee, and guide. The show ticket is included for those opting to see the Acrobatics Show.

Are there other attractions near the hotel?

The Shijingshan Amusement Park is very close to the hotel. It is one of the major amusement parks in Beijing. It has a water park with the steepest water slides in Beijing. There are also Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and other rides. The entry fee is 5 Yuan (about $0.60 US). Once inside, you can either pay for each ride or buy an all-inclusive pass for 50 Yuan (about $6.50 US). It is less crowded on the weekdays.

What about other tours?

Tours visiting other sites throughout China are available. There is a minimum number needed for each tour (about 10). Please see the schedule for more information.