A Beijing Family Break

Description:

The ivy-covered exterior of this hotel looks like a piece of the Great Wall, and one of the old Beijing city walls once ran along this road. Popular with business travelers, and conveniently located near Third Ring Road, which runs south towards Sanlitun Bar Street and northwards, connecting to the airport freeway.

Our Local Expert Says:

Nice to combine with a trip to the zoo.

Description:

This world-class aquarium of oceanic proportions features dolphin shows, a man-made rainforest, touch pools and junior-sized sharks. Fish tanks - lots of them - are everywhere. The aquarium used to have a bad reputation for not supervising children, who would bang on the glass and scare the fish, literally, to death. However, it is now a very well organized and enjoyable facility to visit. It is particularly convenient for visitors staying in western Beijing, especially those around the university area.

Our Local Expert Says:

Worth it to see the pandas. On weekends, a whole sale clothing market sets up shop outside the front gate.

Description:

This is the biggest zoo in China, with more than 3,500 species from almost every corner of the world. Besides featuring China's famous 'mascot', the adorable panda, the zoo has an assortment of elephants, monkeys, tigers, bears, zebras, and many exotic birds. This fantastic collection attracts hundreds of thousands of kids and adults every year. Visitors can also pick up some zoological knowledge by visiting the various theme areas, such as those housing pandas and amphibians.

Description:

This high quality restaurant, specializing in Chinese "home-style" cooking, is one of the most popular and successful in Beijing, and now has four branches in the central Jian Guo Men Wai area. After several expansions, there are plenty of tables. Choose from romantic dinner-for-two specials to banquet arrangements or the rooftop area for summer evenings. The Chinese/English menu offers a wide selection of the dishes common in Beijing's restaurants. However the quality here is exceptional, especially in this price range. There is an excellent menu of hot and cold dishes, and some of the best Beijing roast duck in town.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best place to attempt a run outdoors in Beijing. Enter at the west gate and follow a local expat along the winding pathways. Currently undergoing expansion to the north, there is a decent driving range and 9 hole golf course on the southeast corner of the park.

Description:

This recently developed activity park has been touted as the 'Summer Palace of western Beijing', and while it offers little comparable in the way of history or culture, it is nonetheless a fun place to spend a summer's day. Activities for kids (large and small) include bumper cars, fairground rides and two large outdoor swimming pools. A 75 meter bungee tower over the lake caters to thrill seekers, while more sedate visitors can relax in a hired boat with an ice-cream or soft drink from one of the many vendors.

Description:

Acrobatics has a long and proud history that stretches back well into Imperial China. This tourist-friendly version is guaranteed to boggle the mind with the performers' amazing human flexibility and dexterity. They jump, they tumble, and they do things that make the audience hold its collective breath in excitement. In one act, performers spin delicate plates on poles. Maybe a quick peek as the curtain closes will reveal how the plate spinners hold those things up there.

Our Local Expert Says:

Delivers to your door free of charge.

Description:

This small Italian bistro offers outstanding food and service at highly competitive prices. The interior is simply yet warmly decorated in earthy shades of red, orange and yellow. The waiters are attentive and speak good English, and the menu is also in English. The pizzas here are definitely among Beijing's finest, and the pastas dishes are also excellent, particularly the Carbonara. Kids can make their very own mini-pizzas to be cooked by Annie's chef.

Description:

The ivy-covered exterior of this hotel looks like a piece of the Great Wall, and one of the old Beijing city walls once ran along this road. Popular with business travelers, and conveniently located near Third Ring Road, which runs south towards Sanlitun Bar Street and northwards, connecting to the airport freeway.

Our Local Expert Says:

Chinese shopping malls are somewhat different to those in the West, and there are often really great places to eat inside the many malls at Wangfujing. Take some time to look around these seemingly generic and modern spaces and you can find some tasty treats from all over the world.

Description:

As one of the oldest and most famous commercial streets in China, it is no wonder that Wangfujing is now the modern shopping centre of Beijing. A wide collection of pedestrian streets and modern shopping malls mixed with the traditional snack stalls and architecture of old China, Wangfujing shows how the ancient and modern can blend to great effect. Alongside today's fashion brands such as French Connection and Nike lay traditional Chinese shops such as Shengxifu Hat Store, Tongshenghe Shoe Store and the Wuyutai Tea House. A great place to enjoy modern China whilst still taking in the history of Beijing.

Description:

This theater puts on rotating sets of puppet skit productions that appeal to kids. Common topics include friendly, talkative groups of tomatoes or small boys who turn into flies (not as scary as it sounds!). All of the performances are in Mandarin Chinese, but what better place for your children to learn the language and make friends with local youngsters? The majority of shows are on weekend mornings and afternoons.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most reliable place for duck in Beijing in the most pleasant setting. Comprehensive menu with illustrations runs over 100 pages.

Description:

Da Dong's duck is as meltingly succulent as any; it claims to be lower in calories, but it sure doesn't taste like it. We know it's tough, but don't stuff yourself on the main event and overlook other dishes-the fried oysters in Sichuan pepper-salt are a must. Perfect for fans of traditional style duck dining.

Description:

The ivy-covered exterior of this hotel looks like a piece of the Great Wall, and one of the old Beijing city walls once ran along this road. Popular with business travelers, and conveniently located near Third Ring Road, which runs south towards Sanlitun Bar Street and northwards, connecting to the airport freeway.