This is the third and final part of a three-part feature. For part 1 (cities), click here. For part 2 (sports), click here.
Railay Beach, Thailand
Suitable for: Ages 8+
Flight duration: About six hours in total. From Phuket airport, there’s a two-hour ride to Ao Nang in Krabi, where the boat leaves for Railay Beach.
Visa information: More than 40 countries are visa-exempt and can stay for up to 30 days in Thailand (see www.embassy-in-china.com/thai for details).
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and anti-malaria medications.
Thailand is widely considered a paradise for beach lovers; Railay Beach provides ample justification for that. Located between Krabi and Ao Nang, this small peninsula has no roads or cars, and is only accessible by long-tail boat. Railay is famous among rock climbers for its limestone formations, but the island also offers elephant trekking, white water rafting, island tours, and snorkeling.
West Railay Beach is more suitable for families, with a number of resorts and hotels. Sunbathe at one of Railay’s four beaches or play in the ocean; parents can also take in some R&R at a spa and enjoy a Thai massage.
Located 15 minutes away by boat, Ao Nang is suitable for a day trip. This resort town has a main street with restaurants and shops, as well as scuba diving.
Banana nutella “pancakes” (actually more similar to crepes) are sure to be a hit with kids. Coconut chicken curry is also a must-try. Just remember to watch out for those spicy Thai chilis!
Sanya, Hainan
Suitable for: Ages 2+
Flight duration: Three hours (direct flights available from Beijing to Sanya Phoenix International Airport).
Visa information: Foreigners require a valid Chinese visa for all domestic travel. Refer to the Public Security Bureau for extending or obtaining a Chinese visa here.
Recommended vaccinations: As for the rest of China, Hepatitis A and typhoid as well as anti-malaria medications
Families looking for the quintessential beach experience without having to leave the country should head to Sanya. Located only 45 minutes from the airport, Yalong Bay features soft, white sand beaches, a host of restaurants, and resorts offering family-oriented packages.
Sheraton Sanya Resort has plenty of activities for families. Older kids can try water sports, including jet skiing, water skiing, and scuba diving, while little ones receive a welcome package upon arrival and can participate in the hotels “Starfish” adventures classes. Pools, a spa, and a buffet featuring varied cuisine are also offered by the hotel. Go to sheraton.com/sanya for more information.
Sanya has a reputation for great seafood. Be sure to try the seafood hotpot, dabian lu (打边炉), and fried ribs (藤桥排骨, tengqiao paigu).
While this picturesque beach destination can take all the guesswork out of planning, be warned that Sanya attracts large crowds, especially during major Chinese holidays. Hedge your bets by upgrading to a five-star hotel if possible; they often boast their own private stretches of beach.
Hawaii, Hawaii
Suitable for: Ages 5+
Flight duration: Hawaiian Air now offers a direct flight from Beijing to Honolulu, which takes around 11 hours. It’s then another 40 minutes’ domestic flight from Honolulu to the Big Island.
Visa information: Travelers from 35 countries are eligible to visit the US through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All other nationalities must apply for a standard Tourism and Visit Visa (B-2) at US Embassy (see here for details).
Recommended vaccinations: None
The Big Island is the youngest and largest of the idyllic Hawaiian island chain, with a seemingly endless number of beaches. Kayaking, surfing, swimming at the waterfalls, and interacting with dolphins are just some of the activities on offer.
Westerly Hapuna Beach is the largest white sand beach on the Big Island, with ample parking, restrooms, and picnic facilities. Anaehoomalu Beach (“A-Bay for short) is another popular beach known for its dazzling sunsets. Though the winter brings larger waves, A-Bay’s crescent shape shelters the beach with waves breaking further out at sea, which means that kids can still build sandcastles and swim under the watchful eye of a lifeguard.
On the east side of the Big Island lies Onekahakaha Beach Park, a shallow and sandy ocean pool known as one of the safest swimming areas along the coast. Featuring tide pools and inlets, the spot is a local favorite for snorkeling.
No Hawaiian experience is complete without attending a luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast accompanied with Hawaiian music and hula dancing. Be sure to try the famous roast pig and chili rice.
Palawan, Philippines
Suitable for: Ages 8+
Flight duration: Six hours from Beijing to Manila, then another hour from Manila to the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa.
Visa information: Passport holders from over 157 countries can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days. For more info, visit click here.
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and anti-malaria medications.
Families often flock to Boracay’s pristine white-sand beaches and sparkling blue waters. However, Boracay is infamous for being the most commercialized of the Philippine islands.
If the kids can withstand the extra traveling time, consider going to El Nido on the northern tip of Palawan Island. Located about four to five hours’ ride from Puerto Princesa (the capital of Palawan), El Nido can be reached by bus, van, or pre-arranged hotel shuttle.
El Nido strikes a good balance between downtime and action; activities include snorkeling, hiking, caving, scuba diving, zip lining, island hopping, and sunbathing or swimming. Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa is one hotel with its own shuttle service, bringing guests to and from Puerto Princesa. The resort has an infinity pool complete with wooden bridges and a lazy river.
Filipinos are known for their hospitality, so visitors can expect accommodating service and friendly locals. Don’t leave without trying a sizzling plate of sisig, a traditional dish of pre-boiled pork or fish marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce and oven-roasted to a crisp.
Note that El Nido tends to have higher prices than many other destinations in the Philippines due to its remote location; supplies must be flown in and transported from the mainland. There are also regular brownouts, making Internet access unreliable at best. It really is best for families looking to disconnect and enjoy the simple rhythms of island life.
This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: Gerry Cacanindin, takeinsocialmedia, Nicolas Vollmer (Flickr)
