YES, Beijing with kids is totally doable! This 5-day itinerary is for families who are ready to make magical memories on their next adventure abroad.
We now live in Beijing, but before moving to the Oriental capital of the world, we enjoyed a 5-day family holiday here to uncover whether we would like it or not. While here, we uncovered a blend of ancient wonders, history that’s alive and plenty of family-friendly experiences. Unlike in Shanghai, where we had friends who could show us the local scene, we’ve built this Beijing with Kids itinerary from both our holiday and now our experience as expats – and we can’t wait to share the best way to spend 5-days in this amazing city.
Let’s dive in!
Nic x
📅 Table of Contents:
- Why Beijing?
- Before you go: Must-Have Apps
- Day 1: Iconic Beijing Highlights
- Day 2: The Great Wall Adventure
- Day 3: Imperial Parks & Culture
- Day 4: Universal Studios Beijing Magic
- Day 5: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Why Beijing?
Beijing is the capital of China – and a place where history really feels larger than life. It’s a perfect mix of the ancient and the modern, blended together amongst living history. With it’s winding hutongs, dominating imperial palaces, and super family-friendly vibes, it truly has something for everyone. From tobogganing down the Great Wall to casting spells at Hogwarts, you’ll never be bored in Beijing with kids.
Before You Go: Must-Have Apps
💳 Carry your Passports on You at ALL TIMES
Most attractions will require you to have your passport on you. This is key! If you forget your passports at the hotel, you may be declined from entering.
💳 Payment Apps
China is a primarily a cashless society, but they also aren’t very card friendly. You can still use cards at most of the big international hotels or department stores, but you will need to download 1 of 2 payment apps.
They are Alipay or WeChat.
As a tourist, I would recommend setting up and using Alipay. Sign up for a Wise Debit Card and link it to your Alipay before leaving home, making it super easy to access your cash as soon as you land. For more information, checkout my post here on Alipay and WeChat.
Download and setup your payment app before leaving your home country to save on verification challenges once you’re in China.
- Alipay: Easiest to use as a foreigner (it has in-built translation!)
- WeChat Pay: Most popular among locals (can be difficult to move funds into and use with WeChat)
Both apps will help you:
- Pay for anything and everything (food, shopping, activities)
- Access the metro and public transport
- Order and pay for a Didi (China’s Uber equivalent)
- Order and pay for food
- Translate on the go
🗺️ Navigation Apps
Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t work well in China. Apple Maps is okay, but Amap is your best bet. It has an English version and works great for walking or driving directions. Download it directly from your phone’s App Store.
🈯 Translation
If you’re using an international eSIM, you can rely on Google Translate. But if you’re buying and wanting to use a local Chinese SIM, consider downloading Baidu Translate — it’s accurate and works offline too.
Booking Activities in China
I personally recommend 2 sites for booking almost all accommodation, train tickets, attractions and tours through when in China. They are:
- Trip.com – Has the best range of accommodation, fast-train tickets, attractions, and tours with real reviews and easy bookings. Since moving to China, this is the only app I use to book within China.
- Klook.com – Is also our go-to for discounts on attractions like Universal Studios.
📍 Day 1: Iconic Beijing Highlights
Where to Stay: We stayed at the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel in Wangfujing. It’s a fantastic family-friendly base that easily lets you see Beijing with kids, right in the centre of the action. We found this hotel on Trip.com and loved the large indoor swimming pool (perfect for burning off leftover energy) and the easy access to the metro.
Wangfujing Street & Snacks
Begin your adventure at the famous Wangfujing Street. It’s pedestrian-friendly and bustling with energy. While the “scorpion skewers” are a fun photo op for the brave, there are plenty of normal snacks like candied hawthorn (tanghulu) that the kids will love. We opted for what looked like Chocolate strawberries… ummm, it’s never chocolate in China. Just remember that – it was red bean paste. Interesting taste is all I can say.
Wangfujing is great for shopping and of course, our favourite Cheesecake Factory is also located there. A walk down this pedestrian street is great in the morning, as it isn’t too crowded and the street snacks will be fresh.
Jingshan Park
Beijing has serious crowds, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a weekday or the weekend. With such popular and historical sites like the Forbidden City, it is a popular tourist spot. With that in mind, instead of battling the crowds inside the Forbidden City on day one, head to Jingshan Park just behind it. This is a great spot to let the kids run loose and with a short climb you can view panoramic views of the Forbidden City’s golden roofs. This is a good place to truly appreciate just how big it is.
Entry fees are VERY cheap and can be brought at the ticket office by the entrance.
Hutong Stroll
Take a relaxed stroll (or rickshaw ride!) through the Hutongs near Shichahai Lakes. It’s a window into old Beijing life. If you weren’t aware (like us) there are several Hutongs in the centre of Beijing, each of them with their own character and charms. I’d recommend trying the Siji Minfu for Peking Duck in Wangjing (close to Hotel). This is a lively, family-friendly, and the chefs carve the duck right at your table – dinner and a show! nj
Arrival tips:
- Take it slow — jet lag is real (Jinghai Park is great for adjusting to the time difference, as you get to stretch out and take in some of the landmarks).
- When you get downtime explore your local area:
- Find a nearby convenience store – great for hydration and those late night snack runs (jetlag hunger pangs)
- Find your nearest metro station
- Buy bottled water – I’d advise not to drink the tap water in Beijing
Day 2: The Great Wall Adventure
You can’t come to Beijing without seeing the Wall!
There are two popular sites for visiting the Great Wall and they are Badaling and Mutianyu. Each section offers something different, but if you’re doing Beijing with kids, I would recommend the Mutianyu section.
Mutianyu
This section of the wall is less crowded than the Badaling section and has the famous toboggan. This section is some distance from the centre of town, so I would recommend booking a private driver through trip.com.
There are tours you can book which are also a great way to see the wall, but if you are travelling with 4 or more people, than a private driver will come to about the cost of the booked tour, with the added convenience of being picked up and delivered right from the front of your hotel.
This will be an all day experience, and I would encourage wearing excellent walking shoes.
The Experience
- Up: Take the chairlift up (open-air, great views) or the enclosed cable car if you prefer.
- On the Wall: Walk between the watchtowers. The stairs can be steep, so take your time.
- Down: Ride the toboggan down! It’s a long, winding slide that controls speed with a lever. You can ride in a double sled with smaller kids.
Pro-Tips:
- Book a private driver or a tour via Trip.com for the day. A DiDi can get you there, but getting one back can be tricky.
- Arrive early to beat the tour buses (they start arriving from 10am onwards)
- Pack snacks; food options near the wall are pricier and limited.
This is a great day to eat dinner at the hotel or choose easy to access takeaway options – after a full day on the wall, you’ll be grateful to come back and soak at the pool.
Day 3: Imperial Parks & Culture 🏯
After the big hike yesterday, take a slightly more relaxed pace today at Beijing’s massive imperial parks.
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is HUGE. It was the Emperor’s summer retreat for a reason, and is an excellent place to stroll, enjoy the beautiful nature Beijing has to offer and indulge in the luxury of an imperial palace.
- Must-do: Take a boat ride across Kunming Lake. It’s relaxing for the parents and fun for the kids.
- Explore: The Long Corridor is beautiful, and the marble boat is a cool sight. Let the kids scramble around the rocks near the lake.
Temple of Heaven
Head here in the late afternoon. The park surrounding the temple is famous for locals practicing Tai Chi, playing cards, and kicking jianzi (shuttlecocks).
Fun for kids: Buy a cheap jianzi from a vendor and join in! The locals love seeing kids try it.
Day 4: Universal Studios Beijing Magic 🎢
Shanghai has Disneyland, but Beijing has the brand-new Universal Studios!
Sip butterbeer and wander through Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – the finer details are incredible, with the Flight of the Hippogriff is a great starter coaster for kids.
Once you’ve had enough magic, make your way to the Land of Awesomeness, in Kung Fu Panda Land. This entire area is indoor (great for escaping the heat or the cold) and let the kids loose. It’s visually stunning with Chinese lanterns and has gentle rides, perfect for the younger children.
If you’re a thrill-seeker and looking for something more intense, then be sure to checkout the Transformers Metrobase, with both the Decepticoaster and the Bumble Bee ride.
Universal Studio’s a great family day out, and if you’re wanting to enhance the day then consider staying at the Universal Studio Hotel Resort. This hotel is amazing, and if you’ve got some Minion crazy little ones, then be sure to checkout their Minion themed room.
Pro-Tips:
- Universal App: Download the official app for wait times.
- Weekdays: Go on a weekday if possible to avoid massive queues.
- Fast Pass: If you have the budget, the Express Pass is a lifesaver with kids.
- Food: Food is on par for theme park prices (think $10 for a hotdog) – make a stop to a local convenience store to pick up some snacks. This will save the hangries kicking in.
Day 5: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
Make your way to the Forbidden City located in the heart of Beijing. This historic palace complex is vast and incredibly rich in cultural significance. There are dedicated halls and courtyards showcasing ancient art, imperial treasures, and traditional architecture. It’s a fantastic educational experience where history and culture come alive.
This large and historical site is excellent for kids as well – with open space, lots of interesting places to explore and climb, this is a great place for kids to be immersed in history and fun.
Depending on how you and your little ones are feeling, you can either push on with Tiananmen Square or you can spend the afternoon chilling out in Beijing’s central art district, 798 District. I’ve included both options below:
Tiananmen Square
Visiting Tiananmen Square with kids can be an educational and memorable experience. The vast open space allows children to run around and explore safely while learning about China’s history and culture. Parents can point out important landmarks like the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about significant events and the importance of the square in Chinese society, all while enjoying the impressive architecture and vibrant atmosphere.
798 Art District
End your trip with a stroll through this decommissioned military factory turned art zone. This district is a great place to spend the afternoon relaxing, with:
– It’s open-air and pedestrian-only, so kids can run safely.
– Huge statues, graffiti walls, and quirky sculptures make for amazing family photos.
– Grab a coffee and a treat at one of the many hip cafes.
Final Dinner
If you didn’t get your fill of dumplings yet, head to Din Tai Fung (there are several in Beijing) for a reliable, kid-friendly meal before heading to the airport.
❓ FAQs
Q: Is Beijing stroller-friendly?
A: It’s hit and miss. The malls and modern areas (like Universal Studios) are great. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City have lots of stairs and high thresholds, so a carrier is better for babies/toddlers.
Q: What about the air quality?
A: It has improved massively in recent years! Blue skies are common now. However, it’s always good to check the AQI app in the morning, especially during winter or raining season.
Q: What’s the best way to get around?
A: The Beijing Metro is world-class—cheap, clean, and English signs everywhere. For convenience with tired kids, DiDi (ride share) is also very affordable.
Final Thoughts
Beijing constantly surprises me with how grand and welcoming it is. It feels like a city of giants – giant walls, giant palaces and giant fun. Whether you’re sliding down the Great Wall or exploring the Hutongs, it’s an adventure your family will talk about for years.
I guide families that want to get the best out of travelling Beijing with kids – if that sounds like you, make sure to checkout my Shanghai adventure guide.
Until next time,
Nic x
🇨🇳 Planning a trip to China? Don’t get stuck without the right apps! From the specific VPNs we use to stay connected to the only hotel booking site we trust for foreigners, we have listed everything in our toolkit. 👉
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