First Family Trip to China: The 2026 Ultimate Guide & Practical Tips
Table of Contents
- 1. Crafting Your China Family Trip Budget
- 2. Explore Big Cities
- 3. Discover the Natural Wonders
- 4. Top Things to Do in China with Kids
- 5. Inspiring China Family Itinerary: 7-Day Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai
- 6. Sipping the Culinary Delights
- 7. Navigating China with Kids: Transportation Tips
- 8. Timing Matters
A trip to China can be challenging owing to its large population, especially in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Nonetheless, a vacation in the world’s populous country is rewarding. If you have your family in tow, the experience is both educational and fun. The average daily cost during a vacation in China is about ¥720 or $120 per person, according to Budget Your Trip. For you to create fond memories, however, you are suggested to follow China travel tips for family carefully.
Crafting Your China Family Trip Budget
Creating a family trip budget is fundamental if you want to enjoy a memorable vacation. If you plan to stay for ten days, for example, find out how much you and your family will be spending. Make sure your budget covers the cost of food, accommodation, transport, and miscellaneous. The advantage of traveling as a family is that the price per person reduces as child tickets are cheaper and they can share hotel rooms for free.
>> Learn how to Travel to China with Kids in an Affordable way
Explore Big Cities
Shanghai, Xi’an, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guilin is are among the best places to visit in China for families with children. Visiting Chengdu, for instance, is a lifetime opportunity for kids to get close with pandas. They can take pictures and even care for the cubs for a few hours. Beijing is a perfect place for you and the kids to learn and have fun riding the toboggan down the Great Wall.
Xian is one of the world’s oldest cities offering history exploration in an interactive and interesting way. And in Guilin, parents and kids can unwind in picturesque landscape while enjoy a range of kid-friendly outdoor activities in the idyllic countryside.
Recommended Tours:
Discover the Natural Wonders
First-time travelers often create a China itinerary revolving around big cities. While there is nothing wrong about it, it pays to set aside time for adventure outside these cities. Whether you wish to go south or west, provinces across the country host stunning natural wonders worth exploring.
For instance, you can view the spectacular Zhangye Rainbow Mountains on the Silk Road or the stone forest on a Private Yunnan Tour. For active families, an adventure to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to hike through Avatar Mountains will be a one-of-a-kind experience. And, if you’re looking for unique deserts in China, a trip to Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, the northwest region of China, will change your perspective.
Recommended China Tours with amazing natural wonders:
Top Things to Do in China with Kids
China is full of fun and educational kid-friendly activities and attractions.
| Category | Activities & Where to Go | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| History & Exploration | Beijing Forbidden City: Themed Treasure Hunt | 5-15 years old | Exploring the more than 600-year-old palace with an expert guide through fun tasks, e.g. Such as searching for the mythical creature on the roof ridge. |
| Xi'an: Making Mini Terracotta Warrior | 5+ years old | Making miniature terracotta figures with clay to deeply understand Qin history and art. | |
| Nature & Adventure | Guilin Yangshuo: Yulong River Bamboo Rafting | Children over 1 meter tall | A peaceful and picturesque ride on a traditional bamboo raft through stunning karst landscape. |
| Guilin Yangshuo Countryside Cycling | 6+ years old | Cycling through paddy fields, orchards, and limestone peaks to connect with nature. | |
| Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall: Toboggan Slide | 10+ years old can ride alone | A fun cableway up and toboggan ride down from the Great Wall. | |
| Wildlife Encounters | Chengdu: Panda Volunteer Program | 14+ years old | Both parents and kids will participating in panda care and observation. |
| Cultural Experience | Temple of Heaven: Kite Flying | 3+ years old | A relaxing activity at a sacred imperial temple. |
| Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Museum/a Local Family in Xian or Guilin: Chinese Cooking Class | 5+ years old | Parents and kids learn about Chinese food culture together. | |
| Cultural Learning | Beijing/Xian/Guilin/Shanghai: Calligraphy/Painting/Short Chinese Lesson | 6+ years old | Short-duration classes to learn about traditional Chinese culture. |
| Xi'an City Wall: Cycling | 12+ years old | Cycling on China’s longest and best-kept ancient city wall for great views of the modern & old Xian. | |
| Science & Technology | Shanghai/Beijing: Science Museum Interactive Experience | 4-15 years old | Learning scientific principles through interactive exhibits, combining education with playing. |
| Performance & Shows | Xi'an/Guilin: Historical & Cultural Live-Action Shows | 5+ years old | Immerse in history and local culture through impressive live performances with stunning audio-visual effects. |
Inspiring China Family Itinerary: 7-Day Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai
How many days to spend in China with kids? Based on our experiences and feedback from our previous clients, one week to two weeks are enough for your first trip to China. Here are below we list two sample classic China family travel itineraries. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you wish to customize a journey.
| Day | City | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Beijing | Arrive in Beijing, private airport transfer, check into family-friendly hotel, relax |
| Day 2 | Beijing | Mutianyu Great Wall hike + visit Olympic Park (Bird's Nest, Water Cube) |
| Day 3 | Beijing | Forbidden City family treasure hunt + hutong cycling + handicraft experience |
| Day 4 | Beijing → Xi'an | High-speed train to Xi'an + cycling on the ancient city wall + Muslim Quarter street food |
| Day 5 | Xi'an | Terracotta Army Museum visit + terracotta warrior DIY workshop + Great Tang All Day Mall |
| Day 6 | Xi'an → Shanghai | Fly to Shanghai + full day at Shanghai Disneyland |
| Day 7 | Shanghai | Explore the Bund + visit Shanghai Science & Technology Museum + airport transfer |
If you have one week more, add Guilin, Yangshuo, and Chengdu to your trip.
Most Popular China Family Tours:
Sipping the Culinary Delights
When traveling with children in China, you will have a variety of healthy and interesting Chinese food experiences. Children won’t fail falling in love dumplings, wontons, Yangzhou fried rice, small steamed buns, pan-fried buns, tomato and egg noodles, and other special snacks. Why not take a cooking class? Experience making dumplings or noodles.
Of course, if you prefer Western food, vegetarian food or halal food, we have also done research for you at Easy Tour China.
Navigating China with Kids: Transportation Tips
High-speed rail is the preferred mode of short-distance intercity transportation
If you travel with children from Beijing to Shanghai, Xi'an to Chengdu, Shanghai to Hangzhou and other relatively nearby cities, China's high-speed rail is punctual, fast, safe, comfortable and the best choice. It usually takes about 1 to 5 hours. If possible, choose the first row or the last row as they have more space and are convenient for placing baby carriages.
>> Keep reading Traveling by train in China with children
Long-distance travel between cities: Airplanes
For instance, if you need to travel from Beijing to Kunming or from Shanghai to Guilin, distances exceeding 800 kilometers, airplanes remain the better option.
Local transportation: Subway, taxi, private car
At present, major cities in China, such as Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, etc., have fully covered subway systems, which are fast and can avoid traffic congestion on the ground. If you need to take the subway, avoid the morning and evening rush hours (7:30 - 9:30, 17:00 - 19:00). If possible, choose the seats in the first row or the last row. These rows offer more space and can accommodate strollers.
Ride-hailing services are suitable for young parents, as they can avoid waiting for a long time on the roadside with children and baby strollers.
Of course, private cars are the best choice for those traveling in China. At Easy Tour China, we can help you prepare child safety seats.
Consider Electric Car Hire
Traveling around the country using the high-speed train, taxis, or buses is ideal. However, with children involved, you may have a hard time pushing against large crowds. For this reason, opt for car hire services.
Before hiring a vehicle in China, though, do your due diligence. Start by researching the hybrid-electric automotive market to get actual automobile rental costs. Then, compare electric car reliability and performance ratings online to ensure you make wise decisions. You want a vehicle that is fuel-efficient, comfortable and safe for driving on different terrain. Additionally, understand the driving policies to avoid legal implications.
Timing Matters
Bad weather and Chinese holidays are likely to interfere with your travel plans if you are not cautious. When planning your vacation, do an online search to get an idea of the perfect time to visit China. The region experiences good weather and mild temperature in April, May, September, or October. But avoid the first seven days of October because of the National Holiday.
Traveling to China for a holiday vacation shouldn’t be hard. All you need to do is make arrangements in advance. Prepare a realistic budget, plan your itinerary, and choose the right car.
-- We're honored to have Katlyn Reynolds to write this article.
Plan Your China Family Tour with Easy Tour China
Here are some of our best-selling China family tour itineraries for your inspiration. All of our private China family tours can be tailored to meet your needs.