Summer in Beijing has it all: sunny days, pretty parks, hidden villages and if you know where to look, a swimming pool or two. We took the hard work out of planning holiday activities so your kids will stay entertained all summer. Check out our easy reference chart designed to help you plan the perfect hot weather day.
City Day Trip: Picnic at the Zoo
Where: Beijing Zoo and Aquarium
Age: 1 and up
Cost: Beijing Zoo: Apr-Oct: RMB 15, RMB 8 (students). Nov-Mar: RMB 10, RMB 5 (students), free (kids under 1.2m). RMB 5 for Panda House.
Beijing Aquarium: RMB 120 (includes zoo), RMB 60 (kids under 18), free (kids under 1.2m).
Time: 4-8 hours
Transportation: Taxi or car
Subway: Line 4, Beijing Zoo station
Good to know: Pram-friendly. Clean, modern toilets.
Address: Daily 7.30am-6pm (summer), 7.30am-5pm (winter). 137 Baishiqiao Lu, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District海淀区西外大街白石桥路137号
Contact: 6831 4411, www.bjzoo.com (Chinese only)
The Beijing Zoo and Aquarium give kids lots of space to roam. There’s also an excellent small playground and petting zoo. When it comes to lunchtime, there are ample grassed areas that are perfect for a picnic or a nap in the shade. Alternatively, the Australian café (located next to the kangaroo enclosure) offers child-friendly pastas and some relief from the heat. The sit-down toilets located around the zoo are clean, as well as wheelchair- and pram-accessible. Because lots of walking is involved, families with little kids should bring the stroller, but if you don’t want to lug a pram around in the heat, blue shuttle buses are available to take you from one end of the zoo to the other. The aquarium, located inside the zoo itself, is modern and clean. The piece de resistance is the enormous tank containing an entire coral reef – complete with sea turtles and manta rays. A well-managed dolphin show takes place two to three times a day.
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City Overnight Trip: Hotel Escape
Where: Grand Hyatt Beijing
Age: All
Cost: Family Package starts from RMB 1,900 (+15%) per night
Time: Overnight
Transportation: Taxi or car
Subway: Lines 5 and 1, Dongdan station
Good to know: A room on the Club Floor includes free breakfast and snacks
Address: Grand Hyatt Beijing, 1 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District东城区东长安街1号北京东方君悦大酒店
Contact: 8518 1234, beijing.grand@hyatt.com, www.beijing.grand.hyatt.com 
The Grand Hyatt in Wangfujing boasts one of the largest indoor pools in Beijing. Kids can splash around in the shallow children’s pool or the two smaller hot pools. A larger pool is perfect for older kids and adults. Once you’ve tired yourselves out in the water, relax in the comfy lounge chairs as attentive staff take your drink orders. If you want lunch by the pool, be sure to request the room service menu, which has more offerings than the poolside version. A spa is located next to the pool, so parents can take turns getting treatments. We recommend booking a room on the Club Floor, which entitles guests to a free breakfast and light dinner nibbles in the Club Lounge. Bedroom suites, which include kitchens, are perfect for families.
City Day Trip: Indoor Water Park
Where: Merry Water World
Age: All
Cost: Weekdays RMB 98, RMB 60 (kids under 1.4m), free (kids under 1.2m); Weekends RMB 138, RMB 60 (kids under 1.4m), free (kids under 1.2m)
Time: 4-6 hours
Transportation: Taxi or car
Good to know: A lunch buffet is included in the price. Water slides are only open at certain times (marked clearly on signs).
Address: Mon-Fri 1.30-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-10.30pm. Jinzhan, Dongwei Lu, Chaoyang District. (Take the Airport Expressway to the Weigou Exit. Turn left at the first stoplight, right at the second, and then go straight.) 朝阳区东苇路金盏
Contact: 8433 0606 ext 5104, www.bjyujinxiang.com (Chinese only)
A 20-minute drive from Chaoyang Park, Merry Water World is located in the Tulip Hot Spring Garden Resort. This impressive indoor water park is sure to keep the family entertained all day, no matter what the weather. Attractions include a huge wave pool, a warm shallow-water pool for kids ages 0-6 (complete with mini water slides), a multitude of big-kid-sized water slides, giant cold-water pools, as well as hot spring pools for the adults. A lunch buffet is included in the price – but most kids don’t stop swimming long enough to eat. Changing rooms are clean and stocked with the basics, such as hairdryers, but you should bring your own towels and toiletries to avoid extra charges. Also, remember to bring water and juices in order to stay hydrated.
City Outing: Boating in the Park
Where: Chaoyang Park, Beihai Park
Age: All
Cost: Chaoyang Park: RMB 5, RMB 2.5 (students), free for kids under 1.2m; boat hire from RMB 30/hour (deposit required). Beihai Park: RMB 10 (Apr-Oct), RMB 5 (Nov-Mar); students half price. Boat hire from RMB 30/hour (deposit required).
Time: 2-3 hours
Transportation: Taxi or car
Subway: Chaoyang Park: Line 10, Tuanjiehu stationBeihai Park: Line 1, Tian’anmen West station
Good to know: You can leave your pram at the boat rental stations
Address: Chaoyang Park: Daily 6am-10pm (last entry at 9pm). 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南路1号 Beihai Park: Daily 6am-10pm (Jun-Aug); 6am-9pm (Apr, May, Sep, Oct); 6.30am-8pm (Nov-Mar); 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District 西城区文津街1号
Contact: Chaoyang Park: 6506 5409; Beihai Park: 6403 1102
Boating is a local summer pastime that never wanes in popularity. Though most Beijing parks feature lakes equipped with boat rental facilities, Chaoyang Park and Beihai Park remain the family-friendly favorites. Opt for battery-powered boats; don’t forget to bring a snack and some water for the kids.
At Chaoyang Park, enter via the main South Gate; the boat rental station is straight ahead and to the left. Hop in a boat and head north – you’ll be amazed at just how far you can go.
If you opt for Beihai Park, you’ll find the boat rental station just across from the temple that is this park’s namesake. For lunch, exit the park via the north entrance and cross the road to Houhai. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants and for parents who need a coffee hit – a Starbucks.
Don’t forget to check out Part 2 of this post.
