PLAY
Winter Wonderland
Beijing might not be the first place you think of for snow sports, but in the winter, there are great options for skiers and snowboarders. Even for families with small children, there’s a range of affordable activities and features available. Here’s a roundup of the city’s local ski resorts.
Up Close and Personal
The Travelers
Michael Janser, Angela Toda, and their two kids: Nathan (11) and Isabel (8).
The Cost
Roundtrip airfare from Beijing to Nairobi, with a transfer in Dubai, came up to RMB 11,930 per adult and RMB 8,970 per child. The Jansers flew with Emirates Airlines. In Nairobi, the Jansers stayed at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. In Dubai, everything was expensive. For two adults and two kids, a room at the Palm Atlantis in Dubai averaged RMB 3,190 per night.
Sand, Surf, and Scuba Diving
The Travelers
Patricia Young-Chou, her husband William Chou, and their two kids: Hudson (13) and Amira (10).
The Plan
The Chou family visited the island of Boracay in the Philippines during the October national holidays. They took a direct flight from Beijing to Manila, then booked their own domestic flights through local airlines like Cebu and Zest Airways to reach their final destination. Depending on whether you fly into Caticlan or Kalibo Airport, it’s either a bus ride or a 10-minute ferry ride to reach the island of Boracay. The Chou family did not use a travel agent, and instead planned their own trip from beginning to end.
What's Fun In: Houhai
The Shichahai lake area of Xicheng district, commonly known as Houhai, has fast become one of the city’s most animated nightlife hotspots. But this lively area is not only a popular destination for young people at night, but also for families seeking relaxation by the peaceful lakeside. There are hordes of shoppers in search of trinkets, winding their way through the hutongs’ maze of charming shops. The Houhai area encompasses three lakes: Xihai, Houhai, and Qianhai. Houhai, the largest and most striking of the three, freezes in the winter, providing a picture-perfect setting for a spot of ice skating. The area merges the traditional with the modern; you’re sure to find plenty to see and do here.
The Comeau Family
Gina Comeau hails from Vancouver, Canada. She moved to Beijing six years ago after teaching in South Korea for two years. She currently teaches at the House of Knowledge International Kindergarten and lives in Beijing with her 18-month-old-son, Mateo. Together, this single mom and her son shared some of their favorite spots in Beijing.
Favorite Restaurant
I like the tofu fish at Pure Lotus and Chef Too is quite accommodating when it comes to kids.
Favorite Neighborhood
Maizidian. It has Ladies Street, Solana, Chaoyang Park, German supermarkets, and a good mix of Chinese and Western restaurants.
Favorite Dessert or Snack
Cake made from the box. Duncan Hines cake mix from Jenny Lou’s is what we like.
All Bundled Up
Sandra Jumpertz
What is your occupation?
I work at admissions at the
German Embassy School.
Where are you from?
Germany
How many children do you have?
I have a 13-year-old daughter
named Elisa. She attends the
German Embassy School.
How long have you been living in
Beijing?
13 years
Where do you like to shop?
For myself, I shop at Lido Place
and Solana. For Elisa, we go to
H&M and Bershka.
Where do you like to eat?
Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu in
Maizidian, Matsuko, and SALT.
What’s your favorite spot in
Beijing?
Elisa likes the All Star
Champion Skating Club. I
think Tiananmen Square is
amazing.
Describe your style.
Relaxed
Where is your outfit from?
My sweater was custom-made at
a market in Beijing and my jeans
are from Select at Lido Place.
Favorite park:
Chaoyang Park
Jan-Feb Top 10
Ring In the Year of the Dragon
From January 23-February 6, celebrate Chinese New Year by setting off firecrackers, wearing lots of red, putting the fu (福) character on your door for good luck, and passing out red envelopes to the wee ones. Your neighborhood market will have Chinese New Year supplies like red envelopes, paper fu, and Chinese couplets to mount around your door.
Reinventing the Glass Slipper
It’s Monday evening at the British School of Beijing’s Sanlitun campus. The cast of Beijing Playhouse are practicing for the premiere of their upcoming show, Cinderella. Choreographer Emma Orr and Musical Director Tanya Davies guide the rehearsal like drill sergeants. The music is punctuated by orders of “No talking in the front row!” or “I don’t want to see limp arms!”
Beijing Playhouse’s first show was a theater adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 2006. Since then, Beijing Playhouse (BP) has performed such Broadway favorites as Guys and Dolls, You Can’t Take It With You, and The Odd Couple. Over 100 cast and crew members are involved in each production, which typically take 18 months to put together.
Ships, Ahoy!
The Travelers
Jennifer Bottom, her husband Mark, and their two children: Emma (13) and Dayton (10).
The Cost
Over Chinese National holiday, the Bottom family went on a seven-night Royal Caribbean international cruise to Osaka, Fukuoka, and Busan. First, they flew to Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines to board their ship. The family always stays at Marriott hotels, so they stayed overnight at the Marriott Shanghai Luwan for free using their points. They boarded the ship the next day. The total cost of the trip (including transportation, roundtrip flights, the cruise package, and both onboard and offshore expenses) was approximately RMB 44,670.
A Soak a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the holidays? Soak away those winter blues with a hot spring. Though many are concentrated in Daxing and Changping, there are also a few within the city if you can’t take off for an entire weekend. Though none of them list a minimum age requirement, high temperatures and a lack of activities for younger children make hot springs better suited for ages 5 and up.
Hot springs are known to promote blood circulation, relieve swelling and pain, and alleviate stress, but bathers should also take precautions to avoid injury or disease. Most commercial hot springs in China will provide towels, robes, and slippers; some will even supply sterilized bathing suits. It’s usually a good idea to shower before and after soaking.
