How to Plan a Family Tour to Beijing
Beijng, the capital city of China, has so much to offer. With a history of over 3,000 years, Beijing has a mass of historical and cultural heritages. It’s definitely the No. 1 destination for any tour to China, with many children-friendly activities, suitable for family tour to Beijing.
Since Beijing is a massive metropolis, you may need some inspiration to start planning a family vacation in Beijing. Here we provide the top things to do in Beijing and other travel tips to help you plan a memorable Beijing family tour.
If you are from Belgium, Ireland, Spain, or other countries benefiting from the China visa-free policy, you can visit China much easier and stay up to 15 days until December 31st, 2025.
Top Things to Do in Beijing with Kids
The Great Wall
No visit to Beijing is complete without visiting the Great Wall of China – the biggest man-ma de architecture in the world. Mutianyu Great Wall is the best section for traveling with children. It’s one of the best-preserved sections, safer than the original sections, less crowed, and offers an exciting toboggan ride back down.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is a massive palace with over 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms and the home to 24 Chinese emperors from Ming and Qing dynasties for over 500 years. It’s the best place for children to see what a Chinese royal palace looks like.
Temple of Heaven
It’s where the emperors held worship ceremony and pray for good harvest. The Temple of Heaven park is also huge. You can see a lot of local people playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess), flying kites, practicing tai chi, etc. Enjoy them to experience the authentic daily life of Beijingers.
The Hutongs
Hutongs are traditional narrow alleys in Beijing. Wander through or enjoy a rickshaw ride around Beijing’s hutong area to see traditional courtyard residences, Chinese history, and local people’s lifestyle. You can learn to make kites, write Chinese calligraphy, or visit a local family’s home. Easy Tour China can customize a Bejing family tour based on your unique preferences and arrange these activities in Hutongs for you.
Beihai Park
Once a part of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park makes a pleasant walk. You can enjoy a boat ride on the lake with enjoyable landscape.
Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo, with Beijing Aquarium inside, has a lot of animals while of course the giant pandas are most popular. You’d better visit the zoo early in the morning when the cuddly pandas are most active.
Check out more popular things to do in Beijing with kids.
Best Time to Visit Beijing
Generally, the best months to visit Beijing are May, September, and October. Autumn is the best season with pleasant weather. If you are planning to visit Beijing with kids during Chinese holidays, it’s advisable to book train & flight tickets and accommodation in advance in case they are sold out. The major holidays include:
How Many Days to Stay in Beijing
Since Beijing is so large and has a large amount of spots and activities, you may need as least 3-5 days to explore the highlights of this incredible city. Since you are visiting Beijing with kids, it’s recommended to have a flexible plan with 1-2 major activity a day, especially when traveling with toddler. Below is a sample Beijing family tour itinerary for your inspiration:
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Day 2: Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall, 798 Art District
Day 4: Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Hutong
Day 5: Depart from Beijing
Click to view our customizable 5-day private Beijing family tour itinerary with detailed descriptions.
What to Eat in Beijing
Food is one of the best way to connect with local culture. Make sure to sample Beijing’s iconic cuisine – the crispy roasted Peking duck. You can also visit Wangfujing Snack Street and Njiujie Street to explore various kinds of tasty treats. If your kids are not interested in Chinese food, don’t worry, McDonald’s, KFC, and SUBWAY can be easily found in Beijing.
If you are keen to experience the culinary charm of Beijing, take a look at our 5-day Authentic Beijing Food Tour. On this tour, we will take you to eat local breakfast, visit morning market, and learn to cook Beijing dishes with a local family.
Further Reading:
Where to Stay in Beijing
Beijing has countless hotels including many international hotel chains. It won’t be hard for you to find a kid-friendly hotel or a hotel with adjoining rooms and swimming pool. Wangfujing, Qianmen, and Houhai areas are some of the popular place to stay in Beijing with advantageous location to some of the main attractions of Beijing.
Tips for Planning a Family Tour to Beijing
1. Don’t overschedule and stay flexible.
2. Pack snacks or toys to keep your kids happy.
3. Find something that will appeal to your children.
4. Arrange entertaining and educational experiences to enrich your children’s learning.
Enjoy a Trouble-free Beijing Family Tour with Us
A vacation with kids, especially young kids, can be exhausting at times. A private tour with professional tour guides and reliable drivers will allow adults to relax. Click to see our 5-day Beijing Family Tour for inspiration. Feel free to consult our travel specialists to tailor make a Beijing family tour to meet your interests.
