I was checking my email and having a snack in the coffee shop opposite my hotel, when this phenomenon started to occur right outside the window. This was unusual because the area is usually covered by parked cars (Beijing streets are designed for bicycles so there is no formal parking). My Chinese friends recognised the game from my photos but had no other comment. I stole this graphic and the only information I could find on the web from Vanessa's Blog: "it's a group game that everyone can join in. It starts from three people, but four, six, even eight would be nicer. There are also two teams playing. We used to call the game "tiao pijin" and in English maybe called it "Jumping over the elastic band". I'm not sure about the English name..."

There is not much about it on the web but according to a very rough translation (thanks to Google Language tools) of a Chinese article, Tiaopijin was developed in the mid-20th century as a suitable game for children and played with a rubber jump rope. This giant rubber band is made of a flexible rubber string, three meters in length. After the rubber band is stretched, you can jump back and forth across it. Participants are generally three or more people. Tiaopijin employs more than 10 kinds of basic kicking moves and countless jumping patterns. Tiaopijin mainly exercises the lower body but the arms must also move. In the 60 years since Tiaopijin was developed, it has become increasingly complex, especially in the dance-like movements to form triangles, squares, pentagons, wave shapes, fan-shapes and so forth. It continues to grow in difficulty but tiaopijin requires no special venue or apparatus. It has few constraints other than seasonal. It is easy. Jumping time and intensity can be varied, but also to the beat of songs or musical accompaniment. It can be combined with fitness exercises or dance and gymnastics movements. Tiaopijin can enhance lower body development and physical co-ordination so it is very conducive to physical and mental health.

The girls I photographed were all from a yet-to-be-opened restaurant nearby - so they were at a loose end. You will notice the rather stern lady with the black and white striped top seems to be the most competent and the last three images are a clue to the rules of the game. If you have any information (such as how to play the game or the names of the ladies playing) please email me from the mail-to link below