Beijing is a historic city and the capital of the People' s Republic of China, rich in cultural landmarks and a great destination for family travel. However, when traveling with children, it' s important to pick the right places. So, which are the 15 best places in Beijing to visit with children?
Theme Parks
Universal Resort: With Universal Studios and Disneyland as the two giant theme parks, Universal Studios Beijing is the fifth Universal City in the world. The park features themed areas such as the Transformers Metrobase, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Minions Land, Waterworld, and Hollywood' s seven major attractions, making it a fantastic spot for children.
Beijing Happy Valley: This park is equipped with over 50 amusement rides and more than 100 scenic spots. With attractions such as the Speeding Roller Coaster, Sun God Ride, and Ant Kingdom, it offers fun for both children and adults.
World Park: This park features miniature versions of the world' s most iconic buildings, along with various performances, play activities, and animal shows from different countries, giving visitors the feel of a world tour.
Beijing also has other theme parks such as the Water Cube Water Park, Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park, and Aqua Magic.
Many of Beijing' s attractions appear in the textbooks of primary and secondary school students, making them excellent choices for family visits. Some of the most iconic places include Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven), the Summer Palace, the Yuanmingyuan Park, the Great Wall, the Bird' s Nest (National Stadium), and Beihai Park. These landmarks are not only great for sightseeing but also offer educational value for children. Many parents choose to bring their kids to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, providing both an enriching experience and a memorable family outing.
Zoos and Botanical Gardens
Beijing Wildlife Park: This park includes the Lion and Tiger Pavilion, Monkey Pavilion, Bird Pavilion, and more. It features both driving and walking areas where children can get close to animals and even feed them. There are also various animal performances to watch.
Beijing Aquarium: Divided into themed areas such as the Wonders of Coral Reefs, Rainforest Wonders, Bering Town, the National Treasure Chinese Sturgeon Pavilion, Whale and Dolphin Bay, and Marine Mammal Pavilion, it provides a chance to see various marine life and experience the mysteries of the sea.
Other animal-related attractions in Beijing include the Beijing Zoo, Beijing Badaling Safari World, and for marine life, the Blue Zoo Beijing and Beijing Andover Taipingyang Under Water World. For plant enthusiasts, Beijing Botanical Garden and Garden of World's Flowers are also excellent options.
Indoor Museums and Play Areas
China Science and Technology Museum: This museum features five major themed galleries—Science Paradise, The Glory of China, Science & Technology and Life, Explorations and Discoveries, and Challenges and the Future. The Science Paradise is particularly suitable for children, with topics such as water, farms, forests, the human body, science theater, music, and safety education. It also includes special-effects cinemas like IMAX, 4D, and interactive theaters.
Beijing Museum of Natural History: This museum offers exhibitions on ancient mammals, the plant world, dinosaur parks, ancient vertebrates, ancient reptiles, and the wonders of Africa. It houses over 100,000 specimens, including famous dinosaur fossils and ancient Yellow River mammoth fossils.
Beijing Planetarium: The planetarium has astronomy exhibitions and simulated stargazing shows, making it an ideal place for children to learn about astronomy. The "Happy Exploration of the Universe" exhibition includes interactive areas such as the Moon, Small Celestial Bodies, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the history of space, and a small space cinema.
Many large shopping malls in Beijing feature children' s amusement parks with various fun and interactive attractions. These include places like Beijing Kerry Center' s Adventure Zone, Wanda Kids Place at Wanda Plaza in Tongzhou, Hani Kids Sports Park at Capitaland Mall (Daxiagu Branch), E-kids Island at The Place, the Korean Magic Bubble Experience at Capitaland Mall (Wangjing Branch), the YuYuTo at Aegean Shopping Center, Googo Park at GR Shopping Mall, and Javen Dreamland at Xihongmen. These malls are not only great for shopping but also offer fun, safe environments for children to play and explore.
