I went to Beijing with a friend when I was single, but was still able to gather some ideas on how to best travel here with a family. Here’s a taste of my experience:
Passing through the entrance gate is to the Forbidden like stepping back into an ancient time. While the Chinese were constructing elaborate cities with sophisticated architecture, natives in America were finally figuring out how to put seeds in the ground. Incredibly advanced. We found secret spots around every corner. There must have been thousands of visitors on the day we came but we often found ourselves quietly alone in an ancient time. This is a good one to visit with family since it’s right in the heart of Beijing and there’s plenty of space for kids to run around.
Tips: Don’t try to see the entire Forbidden City in one day. It’s too big and your time would be better spent wandering at your leisure, just soaking in the feeling of the place.
Visiting Beijing with Children
Beijing would be an AWESOME place to travel with children. There’s a lot to do in one city and very inexpensive. Here’s some ideas I came up with for traveling to Beijing with Children:
Tip: The hike to the Great Wall is quite steep and would be challenging for kids. (It was challenging for me!) . It’s definitely doable, just give yourself plenty of time for breaks.
Tip: There are a LOT of people in Beijing! Find a way to keep track of the kids in big crowds. Holding hands isn’t always the most reliable method.
Tip: Visit the night markets and try the weird foods! Challenge the kids to try something new–seahorse, scorpion, cat. They’ll love it if you let them pick one out for you to try.
Tip: The summer palace is an excellent option for kids. There’s plenty of shade, cheap popsicles and it’s not as crowded as the Forbidden City.
If you’re looking for an excellent way to visit China on a budget for your family, Beijing is a great option.
Walkabout 