Diana Kuan
Escape to the Summer Palace
Where China meets Beijing
Even in modern-day Beijing, it’s possible to imagine how the emperors used to live by spending a day at the Summer Palace. Once an imperial garden, the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) now attracts thousands of visitors a day with temples, gardens, hilly ascents and an enormous lake. History buffs can easily spend a whole day exploring the administrative and residential courtyards of days gone by. However, the massive park also offers plenty of outdoor pursuits and hidden corners to keep kids and families busy.
Adults and kids alike will enjoy the Garden of Virtue and Harmony. Three stories tall, it is supposedly China’s best-preserved ancient theater. The Empress Dowager Cixi used to watch actors perform Peking opera here, but now visitors can view short performances of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts, accompanied by musicians on traditional string instruments.
Lounging Lakeside
Relaxing by the waters of Beihai Park
When warm weather arrives, it’s no wonder Beijing families and visitors flock to Beihai Park. Located south of Houhai and northwest of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park offers over 130 acres of peaceful scenery as an escape from Xicheng’s bustling streets. Whether you want to row a boat on the vast lake, explore caves near the water, or just walk along the tree-lined paths, Beihai has plenty that will appeal to families looking for a day trip.
Reverence to the Sun
Leave the city behind and escape into Ritan Park
At the center of the CBD lies Ritan Park, an oasis from the busy and congested streets. Though at first it might seem like just another park with quiet tree-lined paths, it also offers plenty of things to do for active kids with energy to burn. Whether you want to mini-golf, rock climb, fly a kite, or just run around, it’s easy to spend a few hours or even a full day here in the heart of Beijing.
Almost 500 years ago during the Ming dynasty, Ritan Park was originally built as a temple to the Sun God, hence the characters for its name: “sun” (日, rì) and “altar” (坛, tán). Since the 1950s, the park has been open to the public; its 20 hectares of grounds still house some remnants of the ancient architecture, like the large red gates and altars.
But the park’s main appeal lies in the natural scenery and other diversions. Lying on the southwest side of Ritan is the fishing pond and pavilion of the “Southwestern Landscapes” area, one of the park’s most scenic spots. While kids clamber up, down and around the rocks that line the pond, parents can follow via steps and footpaths.
The Groves of Agrilandia
A fresh taste of Beijing
Fresh air and wide-open spaces may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking of Beijing. But just an hour outside the city center is an Italian-style organic farm that allows urban families to leave the stress of the city behind. Plenty of grass to play on, animals to pet, and even fresh fruit and vegetables to pick makes Agrilandia a great spot for a family daytrip.
Founded in 1999 in a location east of Beijing’s airport, the farm moved to its current location in Baigezhuang in 2006, and now extends across 21 acres to include features such as space for planting, a country villa restaurant and a bed and breakfast. There is also a playground, fishing pond and ample space for picnicking, and the farm not only welcomes pets but also has a “mini zoo” with deer, sheep, ducks, and peacocks.
