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China Excursions Part 2
Dali
This town in central Yunnan combines natural beauty with exotic local flavor. Dali has a striking physical location and an interesting history as a former capital. The Bai people have inhabited the area for thousands of years, and their cultural influence is immediately evident in the food and romantic legends of the region.
If your family is feeling adventurous, renting bikes is a great way to explore the area and avoid the tour buses. Since the town is small, it's no hard task to navigate its thin, cobblestone roads and ancient walls. Its small-town charm has attracted a fair-sized foreign community, which means that decent Western cuisine such as pizza, coffee and pancakes can easily be found. History aficionados will find the Dali museum and its three main pagodas particularly interesting, while hikers can explore Mt. Cangshan - an exquisite mountain famous for strange cloud formations. The nearby Erhai Lake, one of the seven largest lakes in China, is surrounded by tiny villages.
China Excursions Part 1
Inner Mongolia
The trek to Inner Mongolia may lead some travelers to question whether or not they are still in China. The flowing grasslands and desert expanses of this exotic land are a far cry from Beijing, and the capital city Hohhot offers exposure to mystic traditions and delicious cuisine. While organized tours are available in and around Hohhot, families with older children may want to visit more remote towns and villages. Spend a night in a traditional nomadic yurt and visit the mausoleum of Genghis Khan. Culture-seekers can soak up traditional Mongolian singing and dancing, while adventurers can try horse and camel riding. Due to the normally harsh climate in this part of the country, visiting between June and September is recommended.
We're Going on a Summer Holiday Part 2
Countryside Daytrip: Italian by
The Great Wall
Where: Mutianyu
Age: 3 and up
Cost: RMB 800-1,000 for family of four (includes parking, tickets, lunch)
Time: 5-8 hours
Transportation: Car
Good to know: Not pram-friendly. Parking is no problem.
Address: The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu. Daily 7-10am, 3-5pm. Mutianyu Village (see website for detailed directions), Huairou District 怀柔区慕田峪 (具体路线请查看网站信息)
Contact: 6162 6506, www.theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com
We're Going on a Summer Holiday Part 1
Summer in Beijing has it all: sunny days, pretty parks, hidden villages and if you know where to look, a swimming pool or two. We took the hard work out of planning holiday activities so your kids will stay entertained all summer. Check out our easy reference chart designed to help you plan the perfect hot weather day.
City Day Trip: Picnic at the Zoo
Where: Beijing Zoo and Aquarium
Age: 1 and up
Cost: Beijing Zoo: Apr-Oct: RMB 15, RMB 8 (students). Nov-Mar: RMB 10, RMB 5 (students), free (kids under 1.2m). RMB 5 for Panda House.
Beijing Aquarium: RMB 120 (includes zoo), RMB 60 (kids under 18), free (kids under 1.2m).
Time: 4-8 hours
Transportation: Taxi or car
Subway: Line 4, Beijing Zoo station
Good to know: Pram-friendly. Clean, modern toilets.
Baking Buddies
Soft-baked chocolate chip cookies are hard to come by in the capital, probably because ovens are not a standard household item in Beijing. Nevertheless, Lin Zhong, founder and CEO of The Fig Tree, remains undeterred in her quest to bring the craft of European baking to Beijing residents. The Fig Tree is a pastry school specializing in Western treats, the first of its kind in Beijing. It is a unique spot where families can spend an interactive day together in the kitchen.
