Xizhimen

Making the most of the northwest Second Ring

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Xizhimen was the location of one of nine internal city gates of Beijing. Nothing now remains of this grand portal – a flyover and subway stop can instead be found in its place, but the schools and colleges in the neighboring Haidian district have given rise to numerous locations ideal for students and families.

The Life Aquatic

When you start to miss warm summer days by the beach, head to the Beijing Aquarium for a different kind of ocean adventure. The aquarium houses six halls offering a complete marine tour: Rainforest Adventure, Touch Pool, Oceanic Excursion, the Whale and Dolphin House, Shark Hall, and the Ocean Theatre. Diving show: Daily 10.30am and 1.30pm. Dolphin and Sea Lion Show: Daily 11am and 3pm, RMB 100 (including entrance to the Beijing Zoo and Panda House); half price for students under 18, free for kids under 120cm. Each adult ticket comes with two free kids’ tickets, additional children half price. Daily 9am-5.30pm (Apr 1-Oct 31), 9am-5pm (Nov 1-Mar 31). English spoken at reception. Audio self-guides in Chinese, English, Japanese, German and French available for rent at entrance. Beijing Aquarium, 18 B Gaoliangqiao Xiejie (near the north gate of Beijing Zoo), Haidian District (6217 6655) 北京海洋馆，北京海淀区高粱桥斜街乙18号（北京动物园北门内）

Those curious about the Earth’s distant past can take a trip back in time at the Paleozoological Museum of China, where hundreds of fossils of extraordinary ancient creatures unveil the mysterious story of life on earth. Discover the skeletal remains of a wooly mammoth, which once roamed the region of modern-day China. See fossils of ancient fish discovered in the Himalayas and a primordial crocodile with seven eggs still in its belly. Examine the complete bone structure of Tyrannosaurus rex. Ninety percent of exhibited items are genuine fossils and all are accompanied by English signage. Open Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm; admittance stops at 4pm. RMB 20; half price for students, free for children under 120cm. Paleozoological Museum of China, 142 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6833 0912) 中国古动物馆，北京市西城区西直门外大街142号

If you can’t wait for the old hall of Beijing Planetarium (currently under renovation) to reopen next year, the new Beijing Planetarium Hall will quench your extraterrestrial thirst. The SGI Digital Space Theatre offers an exciting tour of the cosmos: Come face-to-face with beautiful nebulae and watch the formation of galaxies right before your eyes. In Space Simulator, you and your family will be assigned the dangerous mission of sending an energy machine to a base on Mars. In the 4D Theatre, prepare for a fierce standoff with evil aliens looking to attack Earth. For younger kids not yet ready for trials of battle, the solar exhibit in the Exhibition Hall will open their eyes to the mysterious interior of the sun. SGI Digital Space Theatre. RMB 45, RMB 35 for students. Space Simulator and 4D Theatre: RMB 30, RMB 20 for students. Restrictions: babies and infants are not allowed in Space Simulator, the SGI Digital Space and 4D theaters; kids under 100cm are not allowed in Space Simulator or 4D Theatre, kids taller than 100cm must be accompanied by an adult. Limited English spoken. Exhibition Hall: RMB 10, RMB 7 for students, free for kids less than 120cm. Open Wed to Fri from10am-3.30pm, weekends from 10am-4pm. Beijing Planetarium, 138 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6836 1691) 北京天文馆新馆, 北京市西城区西直门外大街138号

It’s never too hot or too cold, too early or too late for ice cream, so after a day of serious-minded tours to museums and aquariums, treat your little ones to the “flavor of the day” at Baskin Robbins. Located at the northwest corner of Xizhimen Bridge, this branch’s ice cream attracts both kids and adults with its rich flavors, scrumptious cakes and other delectable ice cream desserts. Prices range from RMB 16 for a single scoop to RMB 28 for a double scoop, RMB 35 for a Banana Sundae, RMB 42-54 for a smoothie. Ice cream cakes can be ordered a day beforehand. Limited English spoken. Open Fri-Sun 9.30am-10.30pm; Mon-Thu 10am-10pm. Baskin Robbins, 15 Debaoxinyuan, Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6834 3263) 31种美国口味冰淇淋，西城区西直门外大街德宝新园15号

Located just south of the Xizhimen subway station, the Beijing Youth Palace is a hidden gem for those budding with talent. For aspiring musicians, classes for various instruments are available at the music training center on the second floor. Western instruments on offer include piano, violin, accordion, guitar, flute and saxophone, while those interested in classical Chinese instruments can learn how to play the guzheng, erhu, yangqin, zhongruan, pipa, dizi, xiao and hulusi. Pick up the instrument you need in the Xinghai Instrument Store, located on the underground floor. If your kids have a hankering to be footloose, send them off to dance classes at Yang Ming Salsa Studio, which offers five kinds of Latin dance classes for children 4 to 7 years old. The Youth Palace Cinema houses five movie theaters with both English and foreign language movies with Chinese subtitles showing frequently. Tickets range from RMB 30-35 (RMB 20-25 for students) or RMB 50 for the theater’s VIP Hall. Call 8730 4299 for more information on course offerings and times. No English spoken. Daily 9am-2am. Beijing Youth Palace, 68 Xizhimen Nanxiaojie, Xicheng District (6615 2211) 北京青年宫，北京西城区西直门南小街68号

Find most of what you need for your children in one shopping trip! The fourth floor of Ito Yokado, about 200 meters west of the Xizhimen subway station, offers almost everything child-related at affordable prices: winter clothes for children of all ages; children’s shoes featuring cartoon characters like Melonboy, Winnie the Pooh and Popeye; electronic toys and stuffed animals; Lego blocks and model cars, and educational toys like mini laptop sets to practice reading and writing. A baby gear section also offers strollers, cradles and cribs, while mommies-to-be can find simple but comfortable maternity clothes nearby. Also available are stationery and school supplies, as well as books and DVDs. While you shop, try some healthy yogurt snacks at the stall next door, or take a break at the small playground at the end of the floor, where an inflatable castle, mini foosball table and small artificial beach will entertain the kids while you decompress. Should your baby start yearning for lunch, a lounge next to the playground provides privacy for breastfeeding. No English spoken, Japanese to Chinese translators are available at the reception desk. Daily 9am-10pm. Ito Yokado, 112 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6831 2255) 华堂商场, 北京市西城区西直门外大街112号