Yay, it’s finally Friday. The clock inches forward, and you prepare to bolt from the office as soon as it hits 5pm. Then you realize that nothing special is planned for the weekend. Nothing special means another Saturday trying to put up with your kid’s tantrums and figuring out where to go with the whole family squabbling. Suddenly, the weekend doesn’t seem that magical anymore, and your head’s already began throbbing from thinking about it. Don’t fret, the travel guru is here! Read on, and you’ll fix up your weekends in no time!
十渡野三坡漂流 White-Water Rafting
Address: Sandu Village, Zhangfang Town, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 50
Although this is not the Colorado Falls, white-water rafting in the outskirts of Beijing is . This team sport can help your family bond for hours. It gives everyone a chance to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, and your kids can learn about working in a team. Without modern-day distractions like smartphones, you can have much more outdoor bonding fun while overcoming the rapids. So, store away those devices this weekend, book a trip, and prepare to get wet. Word of advice: remember to bring an extra change of clothing because you do not want to walk around afterwards soaking wet.
拒马乐园 JuMa Park
Address: Jiudu Village, Shidu Town, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-6pm, stop entry at 5pm
Approx. Price: Free
Ready for some thrilling outdoor fun? Then this park is made for you. Don’t be fooled by its dull name because this park has it all. The most famous one is the Canyon Flying Man, where you fly off a canyon on an enormous zip line. They also have bungee jumping that goes as high as 48 meters! Talk about adrenaline. Other awesome attractions are cable cars, rock climbing, and even a haunted house! A jam-packed day for all members of the family. While the bigger kids can go all out, the younger kids can enjoy the safer slides. Just remember to bring extra cash since some attractions do require fees.
幸福草莓园草莓采摘 Strawberry Picking
Address: No. 78-81 Planting Greenhouse in North Tugou of Future Science and Technology City
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 171
Phone Number: 185 0059 3598 / 183 0139 2448
Strawberries! The smell of summer and everyone’s favorite fruit. Why not skip the supermarket this time and head straight for a strawberry greenhouse? Taste the fresh red juice right off the vines as a perfect start to summer. And there’s a variety of strawberries to choose from. Go all out for the 1.5kg package or pick 500g worth of the fiery red fruit. Whichever you choose, there’s fun for everyone. The friendly guides there will show you around and take you to greenhouses that cultivate various breeds. So, get out your wellies and be prepared for some down-to-earth harvesting for the weekend! Best of all? Your kids can munch on the already picked strawberries if they’re hungry.
北京凤凰岭 Feng Huang Ling
Address: 19 Fenghuangling Road, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 7am-5.30pm
Approx. Price: RMB 25
Feng Huang Ling, home to the famous Ling Long Tower and Long Quan Temple. One of the most traditional scenic parks located just outside the main city. If you’re down for some Beijing culture and history, take everyone on a scenic hike in the parks. The twisty paths with the blue skies and surrounding greenery will take your breath away. For those kids who say history is boring, drag them along, and the beauty of this park will make them take back their words for sure. Just make sure to bring some sandwiches and fruits since you may be wandering inside this park for quite a long time!
孤山寨风景区 Gu Mountain Scenic Park
Address: Qidu Village South, Shidu Scenic Area, Fangshan District
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-5pm, entry stops at 4pm
Approx. Price: RMB 50
Trekking under the forget-me-not blue sky with rays of sunlight shining down on you makes for a perfect weekend. This scenic park offers even more than that too – with gushing waterfalls, gorgeous mountains reaching towards the sky, and peach blossom flowers. Every corner is filled with nature as soon as you step through the gate. You can even rent horses and ride on them from one scenic spot to the next. The light hiking is suitable for young kids as well, so why not take the whole family there for a day in nature? You’ll be surprised to see what the Beijing outskirts can offer.
KEEP READING: This Weekend’s Top Family Events (Jul 3-4)
Images: Pexels
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 May issue
