May Top 10
Happy Mother's Day
Make Sunday, May 8 a special day for Mom. Treat her to a luxurious Mother's Day brunch at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Beijing Marriott Northeast, The Ritz-Carlton (click here), or Hilton Beijing Capital Airport (see May 8 listing). Make her day extra special and send Mom off for some post brunch pampering.
Gear Up for Summer Camp
Be on the look-out for summer camp registrations. Sports Beijing offers summer sessions for basketball, soccer, taekwondo, tennis and rhythmic gymnastics (info@sportsbj.com, www.sportsbj.org). From July 14 to August 15, The British School of Beijing will hold a variety of summer camps from break dancing to sailing (chiara.marini@britishschool.org.cn, www.bsbsummerfun.com). Beijing Playhouse will hold a two-week theater camp, beginning June 27 (performance@beijingplayhouse.com). Or send your child for a summer abroad in the US with Stateside Adventures - pictured left (www.statesidecamp.com). If you'd like your teens to brush up on their Mandarin, Beijing Language and Culture University RICH learning center will hold a three-week Chinese-language course (click here).
Smart Art
Bring your little Monets out to Beijing's art district, 798. Stroll the tree-lined streets while browsing through galleries and gazing up at the enormous outdoor sculptures. Mixed among the galleries and studios, you'll find quaint shops, cafés and bookstores for the whole family to enjoy. For teens, UCCA is holding a special workshop on May 14 (See May 14 listing). For more on 798, see What's Fun In.
International Museum Day
What better way to enjoy International Museum Day on May 18 than by taking the family to the Capital Museum. Browse through eleven exhibition halls and admire artwork and relics from years past. Don't forget to check out the colorful Beijing opera costumes.
Capital Museum: Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. RMB 30, free by appointment (www.capitalmuseum.org.cn/en/02.htm). 16 Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District (6337 0491/2) 首都博物馆,西城区复兴门外大街 16号
Bountiful Blossoms
Escape the bustling city and venture out to the Beijing Botanical Garden. Take in the colorful array of flowers, rare trees and historic attractions. Have fun gazing into ponds, skipping across bridges, learning about bonsai trees and gawking at the 54-ton reclining Buddha in the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha. Bring a picnic lunch, sprawl out on the grass, and savor the fresh air.
Wofosi Lu, Xiangshan, Haidan District (6259 1283) 北京植物园和卧佛寺,卧佛寺路,香山,海淀区
Picnic in the Park
Enjoy a spring picnic in the old imperial garden at the Summer Palace. Relax among the temples and courtyards at this former summer resort to the emperors. It's the perfect spot for energetic kids. There are numerous walks and trails to explore, caves to hide in, rocks to climb on and spaces to run around.
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). Daily 6.30am-8pm (last ticket 6pm). RMB 30 (Apr-Oct), students half price. Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District (6288 1144) 颐和园, 海淀区颐和园路
Explore Guyaju
Seeking adventure? Look no further than 90km northwest of Beijing. Guyaju, or Ancient Cave Dwellings, is a collection of rooms carved into a hillside. Little is known about the Xiyi minority group that lived there, making the trip even more mysterious. Combined with a visit to Longqing Gorge, Guyaju is the perfect day trip. For more, see Day Tripper.
Delectable Dairy
Get back to the basics with do-it-yourself dairy. Churn your own butter and cultivatea batch of yogurt. Lactose intolerant? Try making soy milk - it's easier than you think! This is a great exercise for learning about where food comes from and what goes into making it. Plus, the best part of this project is the eating! See Feature.
Get a Green Thumb
Living in a metropolis doesn't mean you have to forgo fresh herbs, straight from the garden. This month, beijingkids helps you hunt down all the tools you need to grow fresh basil and mint, among other fragrant herbs. See Feature .
Hanging Around
Rock climbing is a fun workout that the whole family can get into - you won't believe what you can ascend! O'le is home to a friendly team of rock climbing instructors (many English-speaking) and they're happy to help everyone from first-timers through to those with Mission Impossible rock-hanging skills. If heights aren't your thing, O'le also has soccer fields and a large indoor playroom. See Playing Inside.
