Beijing will be witnessing another temperature drop next week. Yet worry not! There are plenty of places for family fun in winter that numbing coldness can’t spoil, from kid-friendly museums, theme parks, and playgrounds, to some free attractions for kids. Check out our selection below, and step out of your warm apartment to have a fun family day out!
Indoor
Le Cool Ice Skating Rink 国贸溜冰场
Le Cool Ice Skating Rink is an environmentally-friendly venue with a wide range of skate sizes available for rental, catering for all ages. The good thing about it compared to an outdoor skating rink is the surrounding outlets offering snacks and beverages for grab-and-goes and the clutch of cafes and restaurants for a proper meal. The rink also provides skating classes and hockey training.
10am-10pm. RMB 30-50 for 90 minutes. B2/F China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 北京朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸地下2层 (6505 5776)
Beijing Pacific Underwater World 太平洋海底世界
Beijing Pacific Underwater World presents an amazing variety of aquatic life, the comprehensive collection including very rare species. And there are performances scheduled throughout the day, not only entertaining the little guests but also helping them get to know more about the underwater world.
8am-5.30pm. RMB 150 (one parent and one kid). Beneath CCTV tower, No. 11, W. 3rd Ring Rd. Middle, Haidian District. 海淀区西三环中路11号中央电视塔院内 (6871 4695)
Beijing Natural History Museum 北京自然博物馆
If dinosaurs are popular in your house, this place will be right up your street. Home to an abundant collection of artifacts, fossils, and specimens, Beijing Natural History Museum presents permanent exhibitions featuring reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, dinosaur fossils, plants, and rare animal specimens from around the world, as well as explaining the evolution of human beings.
Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm. Free entrance (some charges apply for temporary exhibitions, and reservations one day in advance are recommended since the museum might get full during the summer holiday). No. 126 Tianqiao South Street, Dongcheng District. 东城区天桥南街126号(6702 7702; office@bmnh.org.cn).
MK Reptile Theme Park 魔界爬行动物主题亲子公园
MK Reptile Theme Park is home to both an open-air area, and an indoor exhibition area that has an extensive collection of turtles of various species and sizes, lizards, rare snakes, fish, birds, and even crocodiles. The park also hosts family-friendly events regularly, including pet talent shows, creative markets, and other outdoor activities that help children stay active and encourage team building.
10am-6pm. RMB 45 per person (free for children under 1.2m and those aged above 60, check the website for tickets). Yu’an Road, Ximagezhuang, Gaoliying, Shunyi District. 北京市顺义区-高丽营镇裕安路 (185 1901 7909, 189 1034 7110)
Outdoor
The Olympic Park Skating Rink奥林匹克公园
Olympic Park Skating Rink is the biggest outdoor rink in Beijing, with a total area of 23,000 square meters. The rink is divided into three parts, one for leisure skating, one for ice cycling, and one for hockey. Note: Skating equipment rental available.
9am-9pm. RMB 10 for weekdays, RMB 20 for weekends (rent fee for skating equipment not included). No.1 Anding Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区安定路1号
The Chinese Minorities Park 中华民族园
Set within peaceful and lush grounds, the Chinese Minorities Park is more an outdoor museum, consisting of a North Park and a South Park which provide education about the traditions and cultures of the different ethnic groups of China in an engaging and memorable format. Traditional buildings that can be found dotted around the park are kitted out with authentic looking furniture and instruments of daily life.
Daily 8.30am-5pm. RMB 90 (Mar 16-Nov 14), RMB 60 (Nov 15-Mar 15, only the North Park is open), RMB 45 on Mondays (no performances). 1 Minzuyuan Lu Chaoyang District. 朝阳区民族园路1号 (6206 3647).
Milu Park 麋鹿苑
Milu Park hosts more than 800 Milu (Pere David’s deer) in suburban Beijing. Covering an area of 67 hectares, the park is a natural reserve with swamps, grassland, ponds, and forests. It is not only an important place to display the deer and other wild animals, but also ideal for teenagers to learn about environmental protection, and for photographers to catch the endangered animals roaming around.
Tue-Sun 9am-4pm. Free admission. Luyuan Lu, Sanhaizi, Daxing District. 北京市大兴区南海子 (8796 2105).
Photos: Justgola; brazilian-architects
