Beijing was a great city to visit with my (then) 14-year-old. I also know of other families who have taken younger children. There are many family hotel options, from 5-star Shangri-La to budget 3-star, and all reasonably priced.
The Beijing Airport was built for the Olympics and is probably the most amazing airport I have seen anywhere in the world (and I have seen a few!)
Blondes are unique and Rachel was approached many times to have her photo taken with people. One couple stopped and asked Rachel to have the photo taken with the boyfriend!
How to get around Beijing
The best way to get around Beijing is either by train or taxi. Taxis are relatively cheap. The important thing is to get the hotel to give you a card of the hotel so that you can show it to the taxi driver to get back as they barely speak English!
Top things to see and do in Beijing with kids
Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City are a must see – though a lot of walking. Crowds everywhere all the time – be careful of pickpockets like any city in the world.
Visit the Great Wall of China
There are two points with which to see the Great Wall. The best one is called Yellow Flowers. Why it is the best is because you take a chairlift to the top and after spending an hour or two marvelling at this amazing structure you take the bob sled back down!! Kids love it. There is a market at the bottom waiting to rip off unsuspecting tourists.
Take a Beijing Hutong tour
A Beijing Hutong tour is an absolute must when in China as it is the “Old” Beijing (the one we learned about at school). All tour desks at the hotels can book this tour for you. It is a guided walking tour of the old town which includes the tower that was used as the clock for the entire village. Also a rickshaw ride and an opportunity to visit a traditional Chinese home and have tea with the owners (one of the highlights).
Go shopping at Beijing's markets
There are many designer shops in Beijing. Of course, copies of designer labels are the big drawcard for tourists: sunglasses, jeans, DVDs, jewellery, clothes of all makes and sizes, amazing coats, ski gear, shoes. You name it – it’s there.
The markets in Beijing are amazing: multi-storey buildings the size of David Jones or Myer with floor after floor of everything you could possibly imagine. The most popular markets are the Hongqiao Market (Pearl Markets) and Nuren Jie (Ladies Street). They can, however, be quite overwhelming; as you pass each store, goods are thrust in your face, and you are encouraged to buy (without even looking at anything!)
We had a lot of fun in the markets bargaining but they could be overwhelming for younger children.
More things to do in Beijing
The Beijing Olympic Park is another must-see, and again, the tour desk can arrange this for you. It is also great if you go to one of the traditional Chinese dance shows that are held in various hotels throughout the city.
Where to eat in Beijing with kids
There are many good restaurants serving Peking Duck and this is a box that has to be ticked when in Beijing. The city also has many traditional tea shops where you are invited in to sample different types of tea.
Yes, McDonald’s is there if needed too. The best thing with children is probably to eat in the hotel restaurants where they cater for Western tastes.
How long do you need to see Beijing?
I would suggest five days to be an appropriate amount of time to spend in Beijing with children. It is a very hazy and polluted city, and the sky is always grey, which gets a bit depressing after a while.
Having said that, the city is meticulously clean, and the gardens in the parks and leading up to the Forbidden City are just beautiful and constantly being tended to.
