Make It a Family Day Out at 2017 Beijing International School Expo

This year’s Beijing International School Expo (BISE) takes place at Chaoyang U-Town. There’ll be plenty to do and see at the Expo itself, with 60 plus schools represented, panels with expert speakers, and fun activities for the kids. But for you who want to make it a day out for the whole family, we checked out what’s available at the U-Town Mall and the surrounding area.

Shopping-wise, there’s all the familiar names: Uniqlo, Zara, H&M, Muji, and two floors of Old Navy, to name a few. Lotte Mart is in the basement, if you need to pick up any groceries. My youngest though was more interested in the plush toys at Nuzzle:

The third floor though is where kids can really kick loose. Along with a climbing gym and soft play areas, there third floor also boasts rollerblading, craft activities, and even a chess club. Little ones can also ride around on Thomas the Tank Engine:

Here you can play with, erm… Ledo? Generic building blocks that in no way infringe on anybody’s intellectual property rights in any way.

For older kids, there’s slot-car racing and VR games. And if they fancy doing some shopping of their own, Kids Land offers a whole range of toys for all ages.

When mealtimes inevitably roll around, there’s no shortage of options. On the fifth floor you’ll find a variety of Chinese restaurants, as well as Thai, Japanese teppanyaki, and Korean BBQ. For those who prefer western food, Blue Frog on the ground floor is currently offering a brunch deal: buy two Blue Plate Specials, Burgers, or Pastas to get a kids’ meal free. The really hungry might prefer Hopfenstube’s all-you-can-eat rotisserie, where you can get your fill of meaty German goodness for RMB 198 per person.

Alternatively, if you need some fresh air, Ritan Park, one of Beijing’s most charming parks, is a short walk south along Chaowaishihanglu. The fairground rides are closed for the season, but there’s a kids playground and plenty of room to run around and play.

The Beijing International School Expo takes place on February 18-19, 2017 from 10am-4pm at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town. Find out more information about the event here, or scan the QR code below:

Photos: Andrew Killeen