How to Plan a Family Tour to Beijing 2026
Table of Contents
- 1. Top Things to Do in Beijing with Kids
- 2. Best Time to Visit Beijing with Kids
- 3. How Many Days to Stay in Beijing: Sample Beijing Family Itinerary
- 4. What to Eat in Beijing with Children
- 5. Where to Stay in Beijing with Family: Areas & Hotel Picks
- 6. Tips for Planning a Family Tour to Beijing
Is Beijng good for families? The capital city of China, Beijing has so much to offer. With a history of over 3,000 years, Beijing has a mass of historical and cultural heritages. It’s definitely the No. 1 destination for any tour to China, with many children-friendly activities, suitable for a family tour to Beijing with toddler, school-aged kids, or teens.
Since Beijing is a massive metropolis, you may need some inspiration to start planning a family vacation in Beijing. Here we provide the top things to do in Beijing and other travel tips to help you plan a memorable Beijing family tour.
If you are from Belgium, Ireland, Spain, or other countries benefiting from the China visa-free policy, you can visit China much easier and stay up to 30 days until December 31st, 2026.
Top Things to Do in Beijing with Kids
The Great Wall
No visit to Beijing is complete without touring the Great Wall of China – the biggest man-ma de architecture in the world. Mutianyu Great Wall is the best section for traveling with children. It’s one of the best-preserved sections, safer than the original sections, less crowed, and offers an exciting toboggan ride back down.
Mutianyu vs Jinshanling vs Simatai for Families
For active families with a dash of adventure, Jinshanling or Simatai is also an ideal section of the Great Wall to visit.
| Mutianyu Great Wall | Simatai Great Wall | Jinshanling Great Wall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | 3+ years | 6+ years | 8+ years, suitable for older kids with good stamina who enjoy exploration |
| Walking Paths | Relatively gentle slopes | Some steep and challenging sections | Restored parts and challenging original sections |
| Physical Demand | ★★★☆☆ (Moderate, cable car/toboggan available) | ★★★★☆ (High, extra caution needed on some parts) | ★★★★★ (Very high, long route tests endurance) |
| Highights & Key Features | Excellent facilities & fun: Exciting toboggan ride down | Unique night view: The only section open for night tours, next to Gubei Water Town | Authentic & photographer's paradise: Well-preserved Ming Dynasty structure, less crowded, spectacular views |
| Facilities & Convenience | ★★★★☆ (Cable car, chairlift, toboggan, restaurants, ample rest points) | ★★★☆☆ (Access via Gubei Water Town, facilities depend on the town) | ★★☆☆☆ (Remote, limited public transport, few commercial facilities) |
>> Recommended 1-day Private Beijing Great Wall Tour
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is a massive palace with over 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms and the home to 24 Chinese emperors from Ming and Qing dynasties for over 500 years. It’s the best place for children to see what a Chinese royal palace looks like.
Temple of Heaven
It’s where the emperors held worship ceremony and pray for good harvest. The Temple of Heaven park is also huge. You can see a lot of local people playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess), flying kites, practicing tai chi, etc. Enjoy them to experience the authentic daily life of Beijingers.
The Hutongs
Hutongs are traditional narrow alleys in Beijing. Wander through or enjoy a rickshaw ride around Beijing’s hutong area to see traditional courtyard residences, Chinese history, and local people’s lifestyle. You and kids can learn to make kites, write Chinese calligraphy, or visit a local family’s home.
Easy Tour China can customize a Bejing family tour based on your unique preferences and arrange these activities in Hutongs for you.
Beihai Park
Once a part of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park makes a pleasant walk. You can enjoy a boat ride on the lake with enjoyable landscape.
Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo, with Beijing Aquarium inside, has a lot of animals while of course the giant pandas are most popular. You’d better visit the zoo early in the morning when the cuddly pandas are most active.
Best Time to Visit Beijing with Kids
Generally, the best months to visit Beijing are May, September, and October. Autumn is the best season with pleasant weather. If you are planning to visit Beijing with kids during Chinese holidays, it’s advisable to book train & flight tickets and accommodation in advance in case they are sold out. The major holidays include:
A Seasonal Guide for Beijing Family Travel
Check the weather and things to do to decide when to go in Beijing with kids.
| Season | Months | Weather | Highlights & Recommended Activities for Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar - May | 5°C - 20°C Pleasant temps, mild sunshine, Occasional sandstorms or wind | 1. Flower Viewing & Outings: - Yuyuantan Park: Cherry blossom festival. - Olympic Forest Park: Vast space for kite flying. 2. Cultural Walks through the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. |
| Summer | Jun - Aug | 22°C - 30°C+ Hot, humid, rainy season (Jul to Aug) | 1. Cool off with Water Fun: - Beijing Happy Magic Water Cube: Water parks. - Summer Palace: Boating on the Kunming Lake. - Beihai Park: Experience classic ""rowing boats. 2. Indoor Activities: - China Science & Technology Museum with Interactive learning. |
| Autumn | Sep - Nov | 10°C - 25°C The golden travel season with comfortable weather, and clear skies | 1. Hiking & Fall Foliage: - Mutianyu Great Wall: Breathtaking autumn colors. - Fragrant Hills Park: Classic red leaves (late Oct-early Nov). 2. Outdoor Exploration: - Perfect weather for all imperial gardens and hutong tours. |
| Winter | Dec - Feb | -5°C - 5°C Dry, cold, windy, exceptionally beautiful after snowfall | 1. Ice & Snow Fun: - Summer Palace/Beihai Park: Natural ice skating rinks. - Beijing Temple Fairs: Experience Chinese New Year festivities. 2. Cozy Experiences: - Relax at suburban family-friendly hot spring resorts. - Warm up with Mongolian hotpot. |
How Many Days to Stay in Beijing: Sample Beijing Family Itinerary
Since Beijing is so large and has a large amount of spots and activities, you may need as least 3-5 days to explore the highlights of this incredible city. Since you are visiting Beijing with kids, it’s recommended to have a flexible plan with 1-2 major activity a day, especially when traveling with toddler.
Below are two sample Beijing family tour itineraries for your inspiration:
3-day Beijing itinerary for families
Day 1: Imperial Beijing: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, hutng rickshaw tour
Day 2: Beijing Great Wall tour, Olympic Park
Day 3: Temple of Heave, Summer Place with boat cruise
5-day Beijing itinerary for families
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Day 2: Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall, 798 Art District
Day 4: Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Hutong
Day 5: Depart from Beijing
Click to view our customizable 5-day private Beijing family tour itinerary with detailed descriptions.
What to Eat in Beijing with Children
Food is one of the best way to connect with local culture. Make sure to sample Beijing’s iconic cuisine – the crispy roasted Peking duck. You can also visit Wangfujing Snack Street and Njiujie Street to explore various kinds of tasty treats. If your kids are not interested in Chinese food, don’t worry, McDonald’s, KFC, and SUBWAY can be easily found in Beijing.
If you are keen to experience the culinary charm of Beijing, take a look at our 5-day Authentic Beijing Food Tour. On this tour, we will take you to eat local breakfast, visit morning market, and learn to cook Beijing dishes with a local family.
Further Reading:
Where to Stay in Beijing with Family: Areas & Hotel Picks
Beijing has countless hotels including many international hotel chains. It won’t be hard for you to find a kid-friendly hotel or a hotel with adjoining rooms and swimming pool.
Wangfujing, Qianmen, and Houhai areas are some of the popular place to stay in Beijing with advantageous location to some of the main attractions of Beijing.
Tips for Planning a Family Tour to Beijing
1. Don’t overschedule and stay flexible.
2. Pack snacks or toys to keep your kids happy.
3. Find something that will appeal to your children.
4. Arrange entertaining and educational experiences to enrich your children’s learning.
FAQ about A Family Trip to Beijing
Do I need to reserve the tickets for the attractions in advance? How to do it?
Most of the attractions in Beijing (such as the Forbidden City) implement online real-name reservation. There are usually no tickets available for sale at the site. You can purchase tickets through their official WeChat accounts or Wechat mini-programs. Or you can contact Easy Tour China to get the tickets for you.
What is the best way of transport to travel in Beijing with kids?
The Beijing subway is the best way to avoid traffic congestion on the ground. However, for families with children and baby strollers, taxis, ride-hailing services or private cars would be more convenient.
>> Further reading: How to Plan a Family Tour of China
Enjoy a Trouble-free Beijing Family Tour with Us
A vacation with kids, especially young kids, can be exhausting at times. A private tour with professional tour guides and reliable drivers will allow adults to relax. Click to see our 5-day Beijing Family Tour for inspiration. Feel free to consult our travel specialists to tailor make a Beijing family tour to meet your interests.