How To Whirl Her Away This Mother’s Day (Plus Where To Land)

For families wanting to make Mother’s Day extra special this year, it’s not too early to plan a weekend away. (We’ll be covering Mother’s Day events within the ring roads, too!)

Three Perks of Getting Out of Town

Chances of Unexpected Pollution Ruining the Day: Slim to None.
Even the most special of days are made dingy when the haze won’t dissipate. The only way to escape that toxic smog is by driving out.
An Easy Upgrade.
On their special day Moms are traditionally showered with breakfasts in bed, brunches, and gifts. Taking her out of the city will make this year stand apart from the rest in a simple way if you involve her in the planning process.
The Perfect Season.
Not only are the flowers gorgeous, but precipitation is low. The evening weather will be cool in the mountains, so take a sweater for lots of snuggle time.

Five Steps to a Smooth Surprise
Show your appreciation for this pillar of the family by doing the prepping and planning all by yourself. Here’s how:

Coordinate with her employer.
Make sure no big projects are due right after she gets back that week (May 9-13). It’s hard to focus and take a break in the middle of intense work stress. For some personalities, taking a trip also disrupts normal schedules and kills working grooves. It’ll ruin the weekend for everyone involved if she can’t focus on relaxing or if she has to ask to move the getaway to another weekend.
Coordinate with schoolteachers.
We don’t think homework and studying for tests on a getaway weekend sounds appealing; Mom probably doesn’t think so, either. Contact your child’s teacher to make sure the weekend won’t need to turn into a study session. Also have a secret talk with your child that diligence is a must the week before the getaway, and that you are there to help. If your child absolutely needs time to study that weekend, plan to let Mom have some time by herself to unwind while you become the study buddy for a few hours.
Make the return stress free.
Imagine: you’ve had a great holiday, but you’re getting tired of the travel home. You’re ready to hop into your bed and curl up for a deep sleep. But then, you open the front door, and a disaster of clothes and clutter smack you in the face. Then you remember you need to make your lunch for the next day and make a quick trip to the store for toilet paper. Don’t let this happen to Mom. Have your ayi come over the weekend to make your home spotless and assign a few extra chores if needed.
Celebrate early.
Maybe it’s not possible for her to have a getaway that weekend because of projects at work or events at your child’s school. That’s okay. Just choose to celebrate earlier rather than later. If you celebrate early, celebrate in a very small way on the actual day.
Pack her suitcase (and your child’s) for her.
When you surprise her with the getaway, she can’t say, “But I don’t even know what to take!” All she’ll need to do is review your awesome thoughtfulness before you whisk her away.

What to Pack
Below is a minimum checklist of what to bring, but you could ask your accommodation for recommendations about what most guests bring along.

For Her
–    An outfit of easily layered clothing for each day away
–    Her special daily toiletries (like contact solution, deodorant)
–    Appropriate footwear
–    Materials for her favorite hobby (reading/listening to podcasts) when you turn into that study buddy

For your Child/Children
– An outfit of easily layered clothing for each day away, plus an extra outfit for any accidents of any sort
– Must haves for children 3 and under: diapers/nighttime diapers, wipes, travel toys, books, blankies

For Everyone
–    Passports
–    Snacks
–    Water
–    Data top up (don’t get stuck outside the city without a map or car hailing app)

Where to Go

The Great Wall

Commune by The Great Wall Kempinski
The Shuiguan Great Wall exit on the Badaling Expressway, Yanqing County
(8118 1888, reservations.thegreatwall@kempinski.com)
长城脚下的公社,延庆县八达岭高速路水关长城出口

Our review here.

The Schoolhouse
12 Mutianyu Village, 101405

One family’s review here.

Brickyard Retreat
Beigou Village, 101405

Singing Deer Lodge
Nandi, Xi Bai Lian Yu Village, Feng Jia Yu Town, MiYun (singingdeerlodge@gmail.com)

Chateau Changyu
Dongbaiyan, Juge Village 巨各莊鎮東白巖

Our review here.

Changping
Beijing Meishen Palace Castle Spa 北京美神宫温泉城堡
Daily 24hrs. East District, Changping National Agricultural Science Park, Changping District (6179 0203)
昌平区小汤山现代科技农业园东区内

Yiquan Hot Spring Resort 益泉休闲会所
Daily 24hrs. East District, Changping National Agricultural Science Park, Changping District (5166 8564)
昌平区小汤山现代科技农业园东区内

Jiuhua Resort and Convention Center 九华山庄
Daily 8am-10pm (public hot springs). Jiuhua Shanzhuang, Xiaotangshan, Changping District (400 882 1696) 昌平区小汤山九华山庄

Hot Spring Leisure City温都水城
Daily 24hrs. Zhenggezhuang Village, Qijia Town, Changping District (8178 8888) 昌平区北七家镇郑各庄村

Longmai Hot Spring Village 龙脉温泉
Daily 24hrs. Xiaotangshan, Changping District (6178 7676) contact@longmaiwenquan.com 昌平区小汤山镇

Our general review of Changping here.