Kid-Friendly Hot Springs: Play All Day for Under RMB 200

Ever since it was revealed that Beijing is one of the world’s most expensive cities to raise children, I’ve become much more price-conscious. Living here for almost a decade has made me so accustomed to shelling out hundreds of RMB for things that would otherwise be free in the US, such as bringing your kids to a playground.

For instance, paying RMB 280 so that your child can spend two hours playing in a ball pit is the equivalent of USD 43, something that’s virtually unheard of where I grew up in California. Nevertheless, here in Beijing, we scan that payment QR code without even blinking an eye.

So with all these exorbitant prices in Beijing, what can parents do on a budget? Well, for under RMB 200, you can spend an entire day, as well as feast on a full buffet, with your child at a hot spring right here in the city center!

Simply put, my recent visit to Haide Hot Spring Hotel was eye-opening in the best way possible.

Now, granted, I am a professed germaphobe who often considers hot springs “germ soup.” However, Haide Hot Spring Hotel was not only clean for grownups but they’ve also got a massive play area that’s sanitized every two hours and free for kids all day long.

The play area is equipped with everything that your neighborhood Kimo Cafe has. From mini trampolines to interactive ball pits and a padded merry-go-round. They’ve even got staff supervising the whole place just in case a little one might have an accident.

For sleepier playmates who might want to take a nap, they’ve also got a tatami room filled with bean bags and cartoons on a projector screen.

Inside the changing rooms they’ve got jacuzzis and right outside is a lap pool that was thoughtfully constructed such that the shallow end is separated from the rest of the pool.

Outside is where you’ll find the hot springs. This little piece of outdoor paradise has multiple hot springs and even a few chairs and swings for the kids to play around in.

For grown-ups, they offer mani-pedi packages and a variety of massage options for additional fees.

According to the staff, this place is packed during the weekends. They’ve been around for years and are a favorite amongst elderly locals. But, on the weekdays, it’s practically empty!

Admittedly, the pricing is a bit odd in my opinion. Instead of openly listing the prices on a menu of sorts, they coerce you into talking to a staff member whose job it is to try and up-sell you a membership.

On Dianping, however, they list their price as RMB 259 (18 hours) per adult Monday through Thursday and RMB 129 for kids .8-1.3 meters tall. Incidentally, we were offered a price of around RMB 180 per adult with access to the whole place from 10am-5pm, which wasn’t actually listed anywhere.

If you can speak Chinese, be sure to inquire about their half-day options if you don’t want to pay the full RMB 259.