New Zealander Justine Klena is the preschool director for The Children’s Learning Center of Beijing. She and her husband John, a microbiologist from the US, have been living in Beijing for the past two years. They love discovering new places in the city and spending time with their 14-year-old son Callum and 9-year-old daughter Sofia. Here are some of their favorite spots around the capital.
Rainy Day Activity
We stay inside and play board games.
Kids Beg Us To Go To
The waterpark in the Water Cube.
Favorite Family Restaurant
Blue Frog and Kro’s Nest.
Weekend Fun
Temple of Heaven to people-watch.
Favorite Shopping Spots
Mango, Zara, Esprit, and Yashow Market.
Favorite Beijing Neighborhood
We love wandering the hutongs of Gulou.
Date Night
We like to try a new restaurant each time, but we like going to Malacca Legend Restaurant.
Best Place for Special Occasions
Bubblicious Brunch at The Westin Chaoyang.
Best Way to Relax
Going for walks or riding bikes together. In the summer, we swim at the pool in our complex.
Family Rituals
We try to sit down together for dinner as a family every night during the week. Saturday mornings, Dad makes pancakes!