Written by Ivy Dong |
Taking a family trip to Beijing means that you will get a rare chance to look into the best highlights of ancient and modern China and the essence of Chinese culture including its traditional lifestyle, cuisines, and arts. Besides, the dense subway lines that connect most major attractions and latest 240-hour visa-free policy offer great convenience to plan a Beijing tour.
If you are looking for family-friendly activities, accommodation, travel itineraries and tips on how to make the most of your trip, this article is your complete guide.
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- Top Things to Do in Beijing as a Family
- How Many Days needs for a Beijing Family Trip
- Best Time for a Family Trip to Beijing
- Beijing Transportation
- Where to Stay
- Practical Travel Tips
- FAQ
- Travel with China Xian Tour
Top Things to Do in Beijing as a Family
Dive into the Movie World in Universal Studios Beijing
With seven themed lands, Universal Studios is a wonderland for a Beijing family trip. Various entertainment projects are waiting for both adults and kids to explore. For example, ride the broom with Harry Potter together to fly over the castle and dodge the fire dragon or fight against the evil spirits together with the panda Po in the world’s only Kung Fu Panda Land.
In the afternoon, there is also a parade, when you can meet all the characters in the movies. The joyous atmosphere is truly contagious.
Tips: If you are travelling with a kid, it is highly recommended to purchase the Express Ticket to save queuing time and rent a stroller on the right side of the entrance square to save energy.
Have a Close Contact with Lovely Animals in Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo might be your kids’ favorite place during your travel to Beijing. It is one of China’s oldest and largest city zoos with over 1,000 species in total, including many species unique to China like the giant panda. Now, about 10 pandas live in the Panda House there, including the famous star Meng Lan.
In the Children’s Zoo, kids can feed meek animals, like alpacas and ponies. There are also some entertainment projects, like jungle gyms and slides. For kids, it is an interesting and immersive nature class.
Recommended route for families: South Gate – Panda House – Lion and Tiger Hill – Golden Snub-nosed Monkey House – Children’s Zoo – Amphibian House – North Gate
Take a Light Hike on the Great Wall – Choose Family-friendly Sections
Taking a hike on one of the seven wonders of the world will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your family. Which section to choose? Badaling and Mutianyu are the two most recommended sections in Beijing. Both are equipped with cable cars, allowing family travelers to ascend to the top easily. After getting off, you can take a light hike on the flat roads to see the ancient watchtowers.
The major difference is that Badaling is the most iconic and magnificent section, while Mutianyu is famous for its charming natural scenery. Badaling is accessible by high-speed train, making it convenient for travelers. But it is relatively crowded. The highlight of Mutianyu is the exciting downhill toboggan, which is beloved by kids.
Discover Treasures in the Forbidden City
In Forbidden City, you can purchase the cards of mythical creatures at the entrance and find them one by one with your kids together during the trip.
Besides the palaces along the central axis, it is highly recommended to visit the Treasure Gallery. Children can touch the replicas of some collections like jade discs and bronze wares with their own hands. Through interactive experience, they can also learn about the production process and historic stories of the collections. Their curiosity will be satisfied here.
Related reading: Best Things to Do in China with Kids
Take a Rickshaw in Beijing Hutongs
This is the best way to experience the life of old Beijing with your family. The coachmen are dressed in traditional costumes and take you to travel around the hutongs. During the ride, you can observe the courtyards closely and hear the coachmen introducing history and stories happened in the hutongs.
Tips: To identify the official rickshaws, just check whether it has an embossed license plate on the back.
Practice Tai Chi in the Temple of Heaven
More than the historical architecture, the Temple of Heaven is also a good place to experience the local life. Every morning, plenty of local people do morning exercises here, such as practicing Tai Chi, kicking shuttlecock, etc.
It will be a memorable experience to participate in a Tai Chi class to learn some basic movements and the knowledge of Tai Chi. Surrounded by serene architecture and ancient cypresses, your family will enjoy an immersive cultural exploration.
Afterwards, continue your tour to explore the core architecture inside the Temple of Heaven to get to know how the emperors worshiped heaven in the Ming and Qing dynasties here.
Enjoy a Boat Ride in Kunming Lake, Summer Palace
As China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden, Summer Palace needs about 3 – 4 hours for a complete hiking tour. It is challenging for elders and kids. So, taking a boat is more efficient and relaxing. Besides, you can avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful family time.
The boat tour ride also offers a different experience. Only by taking a boat on the lake can you have a panoramic view of the classic landscapes, such as the architecture complex on Longevity Hill. Kids can also watch the wild ducks and mandarin ducks closely, which is more attractive for them.
Tips: The two main boat types are painted pleasure boats and rowing boats. The painted pleasure boats are equipped with a sunshade and offer smooth sailing, thus suitable for most families. If your kid is over 12 years old and wants to explore freely, consider the rowing boats. Just be sure they keep safety top of mind!
Marvel at the Acrobatics in Beijing
The acrobatic show will be a visual feast for your family. Join in this large-scale party to see the interesting animal performances and thrilling stunt shows. Sometimes, the clown will interact with children, transforming children from spectators to participants. It usually lasts for 60 – 90 minutes. After a day’s tour, it is a perfect relaxing activity in the evening.
Tips:
Recommended theaters: Chaoyang Theater, Red Theater
Best seats: The front seats (rows 5-10) in the middle area offer the best view.
Taste Authentic Beijing Food
Beijing food features a salty and fresh flavor, so it is highly accepted by seniors and children. From traditional street snacks to exquisite dishes originating from the imperial kitchens, you’ll find classic dishes like Peking Duck and Zhajiangmian Noodles. The dishes preferred by children are Sweet and Sour Pork, Sauted Shredded Pork in Sweet Bean Sauce and Pear Soup.
Head to the following places to taste the most authentic flavor.
Recommended time-honored restaurant: Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant, Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant, Xiaodiao Pear Soup
Recommended snack streets: Niu Street, Huguo Temple Snack Street
How Many Days Should a Beijing Family Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries
Generally, we recommend setting aside 3-5 days for a family trip to Beijing so that kids and elders can have enough time for a rest. A longer trip will give you more flexibility in your schedule.
With a week or more, we recommend extending your China family tour from Beijing to other cities and experiencing more of this beautiful country.
Here are some suggested Beijing family tour itineraries.
3-5 days
There’s a wide range of activities to do in Beijing. With 3-5 days, you can cover the essentials and select some attractions that interest you. You can also go on a themed tour in Beijing if you have a specific goal in mind, for example, a food tour or a culture tour. A comfortable 5-day itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Beijing Arrival
Day 2: Tian’anmen Square – Forbidden City – City Skyline
Day 3: Temple of Heaven – Mutianyu Great Wall
Day 4: Summer Palace – Beijing hutongs
Day 5: Departure
Recommended Tour
A week or more
With a week or more, we highly recommend that you extend your Beijing family tour to other parts of China. For example, choose the classic combination of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, or enjoy a nature tour to Zhangjiajie or Huangshan. You can experience a more diverse range of cultures and traditions.
Here’re some of our best China tours from Beijing for your reference:
8 Days Beijing – Xian – Shanghai Highlights Tour
11 Days China Exploration Tour of Beijing Chengdu Xian Zhangjiajie
13 Days China Tour of Beijing – Xian – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Shanghai
Best Time for a Family Trip to Beijing
Generally, late September to late October is the best time to visit Beijing. But if your itinerary needs to align with your children’s holiday, such as April, June – August and December – January, April is the ideal period.
Because the temperature is moderate and the flowers are blooming in most parks. Meanwhile, you can avoid the May Day Holiday in China, so the scenic areas are less crowded. But there may be occasional sandstorms. Please bring a mask and a windproof jacket.
June is more recommended than July and August. There are fewer tourists, as you avoid the Chinese summer vacation. Besides, the weather is less scorching.
For tourists planning to visit during the winter holiday, you can experience the joyous atmosphere of the Ditan Park Temple Fair during Spring Festival. Besides, the Kunming Lake in Summer Palace has turned into a natural ice rink, where locals enjoy their time going skating there. Your kids will also have fun there. If you are interested in skiing, there are also several ski resorts in the suburban area of Beijing, such as Nanshan Ski Resort.
Beijing Transportation
How to Get to Beijing
Getting to Beijing by flight
Beijing is the major gateway city into China, offering extensive flight connections from major cities worldwide.Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)are the two major airports.
To get from the airports to the city center, here are the available options:
- Taxi: The most convenient way for family travelers. It’ll cost around CNY 100-120 and take about 50 minutes from PEK and CNY 220 and 60-90 minutes from PKX.
- Metro: Take the Beijing Capital Airport Express Line from PEK and the New Airport Subway Line from PKX. It involves transfers and more walking.
- Airport Bus: Not recommended for families traveling to China, especially for the first time. There’re multiple lines which can be difficult to navigate, and they might not take you directly to your accommodation, so you’ll have to walk or transfer for other transportations.
Getting to Beijing by train
If you’re getting to Beijing from other cities in China, high-speed trains are very convenient and time efficient. With more than 10 railways stations in Beijing, you can easily get from major cities like Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, and Guangzhou. You can select a train type and seat class according to your preference.
Beijing Station, South Station, West Station and North Station are the main stations, operating frequent daily trains to most major cities across China. All are closer to city center and can be reached by subway directly.
How to Travel around Beijing
The easiest way to get around Beijing is by metro. Beijing subway system currently has 30 lines. It’ll take you to most of the popular attractions and city center areas. It’s easy to navigate and will allow you to dodge the busy road traffic.
Besides, children under 1.3 meters can take the subway for free and most stations are equipped with elevators to facilitate passengers using wheelchairs or strollers.
If you travel with a larger group or carry a lot of luggage, it’s also a good idea to take a taxi around the city. You can save some time and trouble on the way, but remember to avoid the rush hours.
Where to Stay on a Beijing Family Trip
Beijing has plenty of accommodation options ranging from hostels to five-star hotels. It’ll be easy to find family-friendly places as long as you’re in the city center.
There’re many international hotel chains that provide family rooms or extra beds. If you prefer a unique experience, consider the hotels transformed from courtyards. But please note that its environment and facilities may be not as good as high-end hotels.
Here’re some recommended areas to stay in Beijing:
Where is the Best Area to Stay in Beijing for Families?
- Qianmen Street Area: Qianmen Street is within 5-minutes walking distance of Tian’anmen Square, the National Museum of China, and the Forbidden City. The area is also very convenient for shopping and dining.
- Recommended hotels: New World Beijing Hotel, Legendale Hotel Beijing, Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Beijing Central, Manxin Mansion Beijing Qianmen Courtyard
- Wangfujing Street Area: Wangfujing Street is known as the “paradise for shopping” in Beijing with a number of upscale hotels and convenient city transportation.
- Recommended hotels: Mandarin Oriental Beijing, The PuXuan Hotel and Spa, Grand Hyatt Beijing
- Universal Studios Beijing: The Universal Studios Beijing has two family-friendly hotels, The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel. They offer themed, spacious rooms alongside all kinds of facilities and excellent dining options.You can also enjoy the privilege of early entry into the park.
How to Choose the Room Types
- Family rooms: With one double bed and one single bed, they are best for families with 1 – 2 kids or seniors.
- Suites: The bedrooms and living room are separated, so they are suitable for families with more members and ample budget
Practical Travel Tips
- Most hot attractions do not sell tickets on site, so it is required to make a reservation 7 – 10 days online in advance. Some also offer a free ticket or a discounted ticket for kids and elders.
- The Forbidden City has dedicated passages for tourists over 60 years old and pregnant women. Moreover, one accompanying family member is allowed to enter together!
- Most museums will be closed on Mondays.
- Keep a slow travel pace. Just arrange 1 – 2 scenic spots each day and leave a full day for Great Wall so that kids and elders can also enjoy the trip.
- Packing List: Sun hat, portable fan, folding cushion, small backpack for water cup and snacks, alpenstock
FAQ about Beijing Family Trips
How Much Does It Cost for a Family Trip to Beijing ?
About CNY 7,000 – 12,000 is needed for a 4-day comfortable Beijing family trip. It includes the cost of three-star or four-star hotels, the tickets for scenic areas and inner transportation, subway and meals.
Is Beijing Wheelchair or Toddler Accessible?
Yes. Most attractions have barrier-free accesses and offer wheelchair and toddler rental services. And most metro stations are equipped with elevators.
Enjoy A Worry-free Beijing Family Tour with China Xian Tour
With abundant travel experiences, Beijing has been an ideal destination for a family trip. For a more care-free travel, it would be better to join a guided tour. China Xian Tour is glad to offer help. Our travel experts can customize a private trip based on the demands of your family.
The itinerary will be arranged reasonably so that your family can explore the attractions in a leisurely way. To ensure a better experience, a comfortable car will be assigned to escort your family. During the trip, we will offer 24-hour support. If you meet any problems, contact our consultant and she will handle immediately. So do not hesitate to contact us.
