Sometimes it’s very easy to forget that Beijing is a city within a valley. Surrounding this populous metropolis is a range of historic and beautiful mountains, and during the rare occasions when the capital’s skies turn blue and the sun is out, moms and dads with very little ones should break out of the concrete jungle for a baby’s hike-day out.
I’ve always loved a good hike, and knew that I wanted to brave Beijing’s mountainous trails with my new baby as soon as I could. I wanted to take every opportunity I could to get my newborn out and about when the weather was clear enough to do so, and I knew that if I could take my baby hiking, I could take him anywhere!
The prospect of taking a baby hiking might fill some parents with dread, particularly new mothers, who are just about managing to tackle morning routines and feel epically superhuman if they can even get baby out for a short walk, never mind a ramble through the mountains. What should you bring? What about feeds? Where do I change baby’s diaper? What about nap times? Fear not, it is doable, with minimal preparation and priceless bonding moments.
Baby Lux and I teamed up with Beijing Hikers for our second bout of hiking. The trailblazing hiking company is experimenting with family days out: easy to medium difficulty hikes and walking trails throughout the outskirts of the city. At 8 months old, Lux was the youngest hiker on the first of their kids’ edition hikes, and you would be surprised how easy it can be to bring a baby of this age on a tour of the Great Wall, or on a walking trail through walled villages; a little courage, spirit and sheer fearlessness will do the trick. Firstly though, what to bring?
Baby Hiking Carrier
If you aim, like my family, to make hiking a regular outdoor activity for the whole family to enjoy, this will be one of the best investments you will make. Otherwise, I’m a big fan of asking other families to borrow items like these if possible. You can save a little cash, and if it’s only once a while that you see yourself going on a hike with baby, there’s no need to shell out cash for a brand new one. Alternatively you can try and buy one secondhand.
Go for something lightweight, with a few storage solutions on the main body of what resembles a backpack for babies. I borrowed a Deuter: Kid Comfort I PLUS baby carrier from a local mom. There are good-sized pockets on the sides and an equally well sized zipped pouch at the back. I highly recommend this version. However, there are lots on the market, which cater for kids of different ages and needs. Check out Decathlon, and I would suggest waiting for the six-month mark before going on a family hike with your little one.
Breakfast and Milk
Don’t fret about this part. Babies need a lot less on a day out than you might think. Pack light and give a baby a nice warm breakfast or bottle before leaving the house. If breastfeeding, do a little planning ahead and express a few days before hand. Freeze or refrigerate before your outing and your milk will be OK outdoors for up to six to eight hours. Lux is now on formula, so I prepped boiled water the night before and left it to cool. Just before leaving I made three bottles of 200ml milk and packed them away. It turned out he only needed one!
Diapers
Don’t bring a baby bag full of diapers, wipes, muslins, bottles and toys! All you need is a small packet of wet wipes for dribbles and the like. It’s likely that you will only need to change baby once if at all – I can feel the side eyes already! It’s true. When using a premium diaper, such as an active baby-dry brand that has up to 12 hours of dryness, you won’t need to worry about bringing along a diaper bag, as a family hike from door to door will last no longer than six to eight hours depending on your trail.
Bring one spare onesie in case of accidents and spills, and a small muslin to keep to hand. Make sure baby is dressed appropriately for the weather. A feathered or warm snow suit during a winter hike, with hat and gloves, and in the summer a light cotton onesie, socks and hat to shield her from the sun, although I recommend purchasing a baby-carrier that comes with a sun shield and using that no matter what the weather.
Bam! One (or two bottles) in side pockets of the baby carrier, one diaper, small packet of wet wipes, one light cotton onesie in case of accidents, and a small muslin will easily fit into a zipped pouch. Pin or lace-up your baby’s pacifier for easy access and off you goes.
Snacks
If your baby is weaning, there are a few light snacks you can bring. I prepared a small amount of baby porridge and reused a container that his teething toy came in. I took along a small bamboo spoon and on transit to our destination fed him a little.
Pureed fruits are the best. Does your baby have a favorite flavor? Bring a squeezy pouch along and during breaks and the picnic stop, get baby out of the carrier, and while he’s taking in all the surroundings, like dried leaves, chestnuts and blossoms, give baby a hit of Vitamin C.
The Hike
Pick up was at 8.30am at the Metro Park Lido Hotel. This was an opportunity to mingle briefly with the other families, buy a coffee and a sandwich, and leave for the coach.
After roughly a two-hour journey we arrived, at Zhuangdaokou Great Wall. This section of the wall is part of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, built in the late 15th century during the Ming Dynasty. There are plenty of natural springs, reservoirs and rocky mountains on this site, and it’s known for its prominent towers, which are the only parts of the Wall left standing at some points along its path.
It was a 30-minute hike of low to medium difficulty to the picnic stop assigned to us by the Beijing Hikers team. You will be walking mainly up hill with a few pit stops along the way, where you can start to take in some of the breathtaking scenery, take photos and see some of the wonder in your baby’s eyes. What can a baby possibly get out of a hike? Everything. Giving your baby as much opportunity to engage with the world around them precedes strong cognitive development. It’s not flash cards or nursery rhymes, but your voice and the real world. See how they look around and point to the trees, leaves, and birds and on this particular trail, the billy goats!
During the first part of the hike, there was a beautiful cobbled pathway which led to an ancient arch in the Wall. Just beyond this point, surrounded by pebbles, stones, and fallen autumn leaves, was our picnic spot. The Beijing Hikers team was excellent. A printed map was provided on our way to the Wall, and details of where we would be stopping and what to look out for were provided. The guides at the front, in the middle, and at the end of our hiking troop made sure everyone was kept safe and attended to.
Kids were provided with healthy snacks (and a little chocolate), and everyone was gifted a Beijing Hikers bandana, for keeping hair neatly tucked away or to use over the mouth and nose during windy moments on the hike. Guides Huijie and Hayden kindly talked accompanying families through some of the beautiful items to be spotted, including local famous trees, chestnut groves, and apricot blossoms which could be seen all over the mountainous landscape.
During picnic time, families were left to take in the sights and rest, or explore the surroundings and Great Wall. A guide went with groups of parents and children and there was always on eye on every child. Quinoa and avocado salad down, Great Wall explored, and plentiful of selfies taken of baby Lux playing in the leaves, and we were off again; this time on a more leisurely walking trail to the walled village of Yaoziyubao.
On the way we saw ‘Linlongshan‘, the Dragon Mountains. Shortly after arriving we climbed a rooftop to overlook the ancient village with its traditional upturned “artichoke leaf” rooftops. The guides described the lives of the soldiers who once occupied the village and who at a moments notice could rally troops if smoke was seen billowing from the lookout towers on the Great Wall. The village is still occupied today by families who have lived there for generations, and we could see piles of branches that are used for firewood to warm up bathing water, the home, and even beds.
Respite soon followed with afternoon tea at our collection point. Families were treated to savory and sweet snacks, green tea, coffee, or beer. This was a welcome addition to the end of our day when bodies were famished and mouths dry. Parents and kids took their time, and a few last photos were snapped. Moms and dads were glowing after having a wonderfully packed day, exploring, walking, and hiking, and the kids even more so. There were plenty of gasps at the wonders of nature and everyone was ready for a kip on the coach ride back, before arriving at the planned pit stop for freshening up and using the restroom.
Once on the coach, I changed Lux, put him into a fresh onesie and clean bib, before snuggling up for the ride home. Easy-peasy, right? Beijing Hikers will take care of the organization, all you need to do is get up and dressed with baby in tow and out of the house. The company has been organizing hikes and expeditions around Beijing and greater China since 2001. The hikes are enjoyable, friendly, and well-organized, and they will take you to places that for many would be too difficult to reach by themselves.
Visit www.beijinghikers.com to see what hikes will be coming up, and join as a member to receive awesome discounts. Prices start from as little as RMB 360 per adult, RMB 150 for 4-year-olds, and RMB 180 for kids from 5 to 12. Children under 3 go free. The next time you’re thinking of ways to enjoy alfresco days out with your baby, have a think about joining Beijing Hikers on one of their family edition hikes. Leave fear at the door and enjoy your new motherhood in the great outdoors.
