Your Ultimate Beijing Family Travel Guide
By Annie
I’ve visited Beijing countless time, and every time, this capital city surprises me with something new.
Planning family travel in Beijing can feel overwhelming at first. With so many historical sites, cultural activities, and modern attractions, where should you start? In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best places to visit, how to move around, what to eat, and some honest tips that come from real travel experience.
Why Choose Beijing for Family Travel?
Beijing is one of the most family-friendly cities in China. It offers the perfect mix of history, fun, and hands-on experiences—from climbing the Great Wall to flying kites in Temple of Heaven or watching a thrilling Kung Fu show.
What I love most about Beijing is that it’s educational without being boring. Your kids won’t even notice they’re learning about emperors, ancient architecture, or Chinese traditions because they’ll be too busy exploring palaces, tasting dumplings, or riding a rickshaw through a hutong.
Top Family-Friendly Attractions in Beijing
The Forbidden City – A Palace Full of Stories
The Forbidden City is the largest imperial palace in the world, spanning 720,000 square meters with approximately 9,000 rooms. It’s an awe-inspiring experience for all ages. Go early (it opens at 8:30 a.m.) to beat the crowds. I recommend entering from the south gate (Tiananmen Square) and exiting through the north gate (Jingshan Park).
Annie’s Tip: Turn it into a treasure hunt—ask your kids to spot dragon carvings, golden lions, or old emperor thrones. A guided tour helps a lot here, especially for younger visitors.
The Great Wall – Adventure for All Ages
You can’t visit Beijing without seeing the Great Wall. For families, I suggest going to Mutianyu section of Great Wall. It’s generally less crowded than Badaling and offers incredibly fun features like cable cars and a thrilling toboggan ride down—a definite highlight for kids (and adults!).
This section is about 70km from Beijing, making it a manageable day trip. The toboggan is typically suitable for ages 5 and up. My advice: Book your tickets and transportation in advance to avoid long waits, and set aside several hours to truly enjoy the experience. We comfortably hiked for about two hours, taking in the breathtaking views.
- Cable car: Great for small kids or grandparents
- Toboggan: A fun slide down the hill—safe and exciting
Wear good shoes and bring snacks, especially if you plan to hike part of the Wall.
The Summer Palace – A Peaceful Escape
The Summer Palace is a magnificent imperial garden complex featuring stunning lakes, temples, and beautiful walking trails. It’s perfect for a leisurely family stroll, and because it’s largely covered by water with hills and palaces, there’s ample space for kids to explore. A highlight for me is renting a boat on Kunming Lake—it’s a wonderfully relaxing activity and offers a different perspective of the palace.
Temple of Heaven
Besides its iconic architecture, the Temple of Heaven Park is a favorite among local families. You’ll see people dancing, doing tai chi, or playing traditional games. It’s the perfect place for kids to run around freely. Kids can also fly kites here, which is a time-honored tradition.
Hutong Rickshaw Tour – Time Travel Experience
Explore the narrow, traditional alleyways (hutongs) of old Beijing by rickshaw. It’s a charming way to see local life, and many tours even include a visit to a local family for a home-cooked meal or a dumpling-making class. My favorite hutong is Wudaoying—it’s quieter and hip.
It’s interactive and cultural—kids get hands-on experiences, not just photos.
What to Eat in Beijing for Families?
Food in Beijing is flavorful, but not all dishes are spicy. Here are some family-friendly dishes:
- Peking Duck – crispy skin, sweet sauce, and pancakes to wrap it all up
- Jiaozi (Dumplings) – boiled or fried, with pork, veggie, or shrimp fillings
- Zhajiangmian – wheat noodles with minced pork sauce, not spicy
- Sweet & Sour Pork – tangy, crunchy, and kid-approved
- Fried rice or Egg fried noodles – always a safe choice for young ones
When to Plan Your Beijing Family Trip?
The best times to visit Beijing with your family are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). During these months, the weather is mild, skies are clearer, and the crowds are more manageable. These seasons are perfect for outdoor activities like walking the Great Wall or exploring palace gardens.
Summer (June–August) can be hot and humid, with higher tourist traffic, while winter (December–February) is cold but peaceful—ideal if you enjoy fewer crowds and don’t mind bundling up.
Annie’s Tip: Avoid major Chinese national holidays, like Golden Week (October 1–7), as attractions can be very crowded and prices may rise.
Traveling to Beijing as a family is not just possible—it’s incredible. You’ll find a balance of fun, education, culture, and comfort all in one place. From iconic landmarks to hands-on experiences, every member of the family—young or old—will come home with stories to tell.
How Long Should You Stay in Beijing?
To truly savor Beijing’s iconic highlights without feeling rushed, I suggest dedicating at least 3 to 4 full days. This duration allows ample time to visit major sites, enjoy unique local experiences, and incorporate necessary downtime for children. If your family is eager to explore more of China, a 8 -10 day trip often includes Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, offering a diverse and comprehensive adventure across the country.
Beijing Transportation Guide for Families
Metro: An Efficient Way
Beijing’s metro system is incredibly efficient, extensive, and surprisingly kid-friendly. It’s often the fastest way to get around, especially outside of rush hour, and reaches most major attractions. My advice: Try to avoid lines 1 and 10 during peak morning rush hour (around 8 AM) if you can.
DiDi: Convenient and Accessible
DiDi is China’s equivalent of Uber and a very convenient option for families. However, be aware that car seats are typically not available in standard DiDi or taxis, so if you’re traveling with very young children, you might need to book a specialized service or private transfer that explicitly offers child seats (look for “Premier” options).
Private Tours and Drivers: The Ultimate Convenience
For a truly hassle-free experience, especially for multi-generational groups or families with strollers and lots of luggage, hiring a private guide and driver for the day is an excellent option. A good guide can help navigate crowds, skip lines, bridge language barriers, and provide invaluable cultural and historical insights.