“After death and divorce, moving house is the third most stressful life event,” so goes the cliché. With a little help, your move doesn’t have to be a source of stress and worry, but it’s important to be informed.

Before anything else, know the differences between the terms “moving,” “shipping,” and “relocation.” Chad Forrest, general manager of Asian Express International Movers, says think about moving as one part of the relocation process. “The traditional components of relocation are moving, the home search, visa, immigration, and cross-cultural training. A moving company focuses on the moving aspects. A relocation company will engage in all separate components in one way or another,” he explains.

In your search for the right company and services, remember to get several quotes, make sure communication is clear (even if you have an interpreter), and plan ahead whenever possible. Very little is negotiable in the relocation business, so knowing exactly what you want up front makes the process move more smoothly.

Things to Know When Relocating

Terms of Service
Most moving companies have a logistics division that moves products rather than household goods or a general cargo division that focuses on large projects and transporting machinery. Relocation management companies (RMCs) outsource different stages of the relocation process and are the single point of contact for a client. They might contract with one company to oversee global relocation, another for immigration, and yet another for cross-cultural training.

Shipping is part of the international moving process in which personal belongings and household goods are transported by either the generally slower but cheaper sea freight or quicker but more expensive air freight to the destination country.

Preparing for the Visual Survey
If you are engaging the services of a relocation or moving company, one of the most important parts of the process is the visual survey. Before the survey, cull as much as possible by donating or selling anything you do not need to save considerable time and money. Keep in mind that the survey is by definition an estimate; this is why it is important to get several quotes. “If two moving companies have estimated a similar volume and the third is way out, then you pretty much have the answer to your question,” says Forrest.

Moving on a Budget
The best thing families can do to save money is to get the process started and get estimates as early as possible. During less busy times of the year, contacting the moving company at least two months in advance is optimal. If you have the flexibility to choose when to move, you are more likely to get a good deal if you relocate during off-peak months in the fall or early spring and winter rather than June or July.

Also consider cutting down unnecessary daily expenses and making a moving budget several months before the intended relocation date to prepare for unforeseen costs. Watch out for hidden fees, especially if you are planning the move yourself. Each stage in the relocation process carries its own costs, so be sure to clarify exactly which services and conditions are included in a quote: door to door, door to port, port to port, air versus sea freight, among others.

Challenges in Importing
Susie Hetherington, a teacher in Beijing, has had a bad experience in importing shipments. “No one informed us that China taxes all items for the [second shipment into]China, [and that]cost us USD 6,000,” she said. Another expat mother, who refused to be named, shared that her family ended up paying RMB 30,000 in taxes. The reason? Their shipment was named under her (she’s on a dependent visa) instead of her husband (who has a working visa).

In these situations, Asian Tigers Mobility advices expats to prepare all necessary documents and ask the shipping company about further requirements and taxes. “Full duties and taxes on every single item are applicable if the expat does not have their Chinese work and residence permit available. The moving company can change the shipper’s name [to the one with these permits].  However, this has to be done before customs clearance takes place and may result in a delay with the shipment. These documents have to be valid up to 365 days and issued from Beijing,” says Wilson Fan, Beijing manager of Moving Services unit of Asian Tigers.

He stresses that if an expat is importing a second shipment into China, just like Hetherington did, everything in that shipment is subject to additional duties and taxes. “The [added]duty and taxes should be a result of improper import documents.” Fan instructs clients to choose a moving company not on price alone, but also consider the quality of service. In that way, he says bad experiences relocating can be avoided.

* For full details on services offered, contact the listed moving, shipping, and relocation companies directly.

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

Are you stuck in a cultural rut? Do you feel disconnected from local life? Don’t fret – there is life beyond Chaoyang Park and jazzy Sunday brunches. Beijing is a city rich in history and culture, which can often be accessed at often dirt-cheap prices. We forego the usual suspects to bring you a roundup of cultural activities, centers, classes, and parks that bring you closer to finding your inner Beijinger. We start off with activities…

Fly an Iconic Kite
Kite flying is a seasonal tradition in China and signals the arrival of spring. The kite of choice for many locals is called yashayan (崖沙燕) or sand martin, a migratory bird that closely resembles a swallow. The legend goes that Cao Xueqin, author of Dream of the Red Chamber, taught poor villagers how to make a living from making this simple kite. In Beijing, it’s a tradition to cut the kite string to symbolize that bad luck is – quite literally – gone with the wind. Get your kites in local supermarkets or visit this store in Nanluoguxiang.

Make a Traditional Chinese Handicraft
Test your dexterity (and patience) with one of China’s many traditional handicrafts. No good at knot-tying? Then try your hand at painting clay figurines, fashioning iron lanterns, building your own kite, blowing a delicate sugar sculpture, egg carving, papercutting, or calligraphy. The beauty of this variety is that there’s something for everyone. There’s a lot of places where you can do traditional handicrafts. Join Cultural Keys’ calligraphy workshop every first Saturday of the month, or visit this Qianmen shop and make traditional silk sachets.

Play Jianzi at the Park
If you know how to play hacky sack, then you know how to play jianzi (毽子). Also known as “Chinese hacky sack” in English, this popular folk game features a weighted shuttlecock with four feathers attached to a stack of plastic disks. The goal is to keep the jianzi from touching the ground using various body parts, but not the hands. Want to make friends fast? Show off your fancy footwork by joining a “circle kick” at the park or on the street. Jianzi are widely available at markets and the sporting section of major supermarket chains. Alternatively, you can make your own jianzi and here’s our step-by-step guide.

This article first appeared on our site in May 2012 and updated in May 2016.
Photos: stevendepolo, egorgrebnev, Timo Tervo (Flickr) and beijingkids file.

 As we clearly move from winter to summer with a brief pit stop by spring, the outdoors beckon. The weekends and holidays will be a nice treat to get away from the normal routine. Whether you want to go with a large group or a small one. Here are tips of getting ready to go for a hike we dug up from our archives.

Many parents are intimidated by the idea of hiking with young children, but that doesn’t have to be the case, according to touring experts Beijing Hikers and Beijing Sideways. Founded in August 2001, Beijing Hikers is an outdoor group founded by hikers for hikers. They organize frequent excursions around Beijing. Beijing Sideways allows visitors to see the city from a motorcycle sidecar with day trips and overnight stays at the Great Wall. Here, both groups offer their tips for trail hiking with kids.

Before the Hike
First, find out if the outing or hike is suitable for kids. At Beijing Hikers, it depends quite a bit on the individual child and whether or not they’re used to being outdoors. The group rates its hikes from 1-5 (1 being the easiest and 5 being the toughest). Try the easiest hikes first to get a sense of where your family fits in on the difficulty scale, then contact Beijing Hikers about the suitability of the hike that you’re interested in.

Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Bring some extra clothes in case the weather isn’t as nice as forecast. In general, hikers should wear loose and light-colored clothing in the summer, with a hat and sunscreen. During the rainy season, take a waterproof outer layer with a change of clothes to leave in the car. In the winter, wear thermal layers, a waterproof outer layer, and a scarf, gloves, and hat to cover any exposed skin. Bring extra warm clothing, just in case.

 During the Hike
Always take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your children. This includes staying well-fed and well-hydrated, and having good hiking shoes, so you don’t lose your balance when carrying or helping your kids on the trail.

When hiking with kids, take it easy in the beginning, and add more challenges later. For example, you can repeat the same trails by walking together the first few times, then allowing the kids to range ahead once they’re more familiar with the route. Parents can also set a theme for the outing (e.g. “Our mission is the climb the Great Wall” or “We’re going to look at the autumn colors”) to make things more fun.

For families with younger children, it’s a good idea to set up base at a nice spot and explore the surrounding area from there. Talk to them about what they’re seeing, whether it’s insects, animals, people, or landscapes. Like with any outing, you’ll have to respect or adjust to your child’s napping and eating cycles. “I know that I can have my kids nap in the baby carrier or in the car, if they have their baby seat,” says Beijing Sideways Founder Gael Thoreau. “Our oldest (age 2.5) can skip the nap if we just put her to bed early after the hike.” He says it’s even easier for breastfed newborns, who spend most of their time sleeping and wake up mainly to feed. “My first-born was on the Great Wall at 15 days [old],” recalls Thoreau. “We went there to escape the July heat!”

Find out more here.

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.

In general, bathers should avoid soaking too frequently, too long, or at too high a temperature. Though every person is different, start with short sessions of 15-20 minutes. Don’t bathe on an empty stomach, and stop immediately if you start to feel tired or dizzy. Pregnant women should avoid hot springs and those with health problems are urged to consult a doctor before bathing.

Economical

Huaqing Hot Springs Hotel
Huaqing Hot Springs Hotel is located in the northeastern part of Chaoyang District. It features a natural hot spring with water welling up from 2,700 meters underground. The centerpiece of the resort is a large, open-air pool surrounded by greenery. The facilities are relatively simple, with 12 types of indoor and outdoor pools, nine private spa rooms in Thai and Japanese style, a sauna, hot stone kangs, and TCM massages. There are also guest rooms, restaurants, meeting rooms, and a fitness center.

Admission to the hot springs costs RMB 118 for adults and is free for kids under 1.2 meters. The hotel’s website is entirely in Chinese.

2 Lishui Qiao, Chaoyang District (8482 6665) www.hqwqbg.cn
华清温泉宾馆，朝阳区立水桥甲2号

Mid-Range

Spaview Hot Spring World (Shunjing Spa Hotel)
Spaview Hot Spring World is located diagonally across from the Ikea store in Lido. The spa bills itself as “the world’s largest indoor hot spring” and claims a floor space of 130,000 square meters. The natural hot spring water is drawn from a depth of 2,600-3,075 meters. Facilities include both indoor and outdoor pools, Asian and Western dining, guest rooms, and conference rooms.

Admission to the hot springs costs RMB 198 for adults and RMB 99 for kids under 1.4 meters. Kids under 1.1 meters get in for free. The all-you-can eat buffet costs an additional RMB 80 per person. The staff speaks limited English and the website is completely in Chinese.

3 Beisihuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (5827 1888, 5865 3888) www.shunjingwenquan.com
顺景温泉酒店，朝阳区北四环东路2号

High-End

Longxi Hotspring Resort
Located in Daxing District, Longxi is the ultimate five star experience. The resort includes a hotel, golf course, and fitness and recreation center. Be prepared to shell out the big bucks if you’re staying overnight; rooms with a view of the Longxi’s “Hot Spring World” start at RMB 1,500 a night. Luckily, visitors don’t have to stay at Longxi to access the hot spring facilities.

The Hot Spring World includes a huge indoor swimming pool, food gallery, spa, saunas, heated beds with onsite TCM consultation, and a variety of therapeutic and beautifying pools. These are divided into several “areas” with names like the Skin Whitening and Skin Care Area, Health Care Area, Tea Therapy Area, and Wine Culture Area.

Admission to Longxi’s hot spring facilities costs RMB 369 for adults and RMB 150 for kids under 1.2 meters. The pools range from 25-50 degrees Celsius. Hotel staff speak limited English, but Longxi has an English website.

8 Shunjing Lu, Panggezhuang, Daxing District (8928 2222, ydb@longxiresort.com) http://longxiresort.com/en
龙熙温泉度假酒店，大兴区庞各庄顺景路8号

Chun Hui Yuan Resort
Chun Hui Yuan Resort in Shunyi includes hotel accommodations, meeting rooms, shopping, dining, and a hot spring club. The hot springs cover 13,000 square meters, and include both indoor and outdoor pools with remedies like rose, milk, and red wine. Chun Hui Yuan is best for a quiet weekend getaway. Room amenities include free Wi-Fi, breakfast, a walk-in shower, and an in-room hot tub. The hotel features beautiful garden surroundings, but there isn’t much to do in the neighboring areas.

Admission to the hot springs costs RMB 268 on weekends and RMB 168 on weekdays. Kids under 1.4 meters get in for RMB 138 on weekends and RMB on weekdays. Discounts are available for large groups.

Yuzhuang Village, Gaoliying, Shunyi District (6945 4433) www.chunhuiyuan.cn
春晖园温泉度假酒店，顺义区高丽营镇于庄村

Jiuhua Resort and Convention Center
Located in Changping District, Jiuhua has over 2,300 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants, a convention center, meeting rooms, sports facilities, a shopping center, and a medical center. Standard rooms start at RMB 620 per night.

Jiuhua is one of the only natural hot springs on this list. The mineral-rich water wells up from 1,230 meters underground and stays around 40 degrees Celsius. The outdoor hot spring is surrounded by traditional architecture and courtyards. Other facilities include saunas, massages, TCM consultation, a hydrotherapy center, mud baths, and a Thai spa.

Admission costs RMB 188+ for adults and RMB 150 for kids under 1.2 meters. The resort has an English website, but the online reservation form is only available in Chinese.

Xiaotang Shan, Changping District (6178 2288 ext 6666) www.jiuhua.com.cn/enindex.as
昌平区小汤山

If you’ve been in China for Spring Festival before, you know the best part is the food. There are few other occasions in the Chinese calendar in which locals’ love of eating and respect for superstition come together in such grand fashion. Chuxi (the eve of Chinese New Year) is traditionally the scene of annual family reunions; common dishes include dumplings, fish, sweet tangyuan, longevity noodles, and niangao – all of which contain or recall homophones for fortune, luck, and health.

1. Dumplings
Jiaozi are especially popular in northern China, where they are traditionally served after dinner. They resemble Chinese ingots, which were boat-shaped with turned-up ends. According to China Highlights, which filling you choose also hugely significant; for example, suancai (pickled vegetable) fillings are shunned because the word suan (酸) can also mean “grieving” or “painful.” The most common filling is pork and cabbage.

2. Niangao
Niangao are glutinous rice cakes commonly stir-fried with vegetables, egg and/or meat. The Chinese name 年糕 (“new year cake”) is a homophone for 年高 (“every year higher”), which represents a wish to achieve more and more with every year. Niangao are more commonly eaten in the south, where they can be prepared savory or sweet.

3. Fish
The Chinese word for “fish” (鱼) is a homonym for “surplus” (余), making this humble freshwater dweller the centerpiece of many a Chinese New Year dinner. According to Think Chinese, the dish is closely associated with the idiom 年年有余 (“may there be surplus year after year”). Fish is usually served whole, sometimes with the head pointed towards the guest of honor; some families leave a bit uneaten so that the idea of “surplus” is reflected in practice.

3. Spring Rolls
What do you know? This staple of North American Chinese restaurant menus has origins in Spring Festival celebrations. The deep-fried rolls are filled with glass noodles and vegetables to symbolize the coming of spring, while their shape and color are reminiscent of gold bars.

4. Tangyuan
Also known as yuanxiao in the North after the festival that they’re commonly eaten on, tangyuan are boiled glutinous rice balls filled with sweet or savory fillings and served in clear soup. Their name and round shape recall the word “union” (团圆), making tangyuan the natural choice for family reunions. They’re often filled with sweet sesame paste in the south, including in my hometown of Chongqing where my grandmother used to make her own.

5. Longevity Noodles
Known in Chinese as changshou mian (“long life noodles”), longevity noodles are commonly eaten on birthdays and during Spring Festival. The noodles are usually made from one piece of dough, and are stretched and pulled into many long, thin strands to symbolize long life and health. Try not to break the noodles when you eat them – this is harder than it looks!

6. Citrus Fruits
Oranges, tangerines, and pomelo are all widely eaten during Spring Festival. In Chinese, the words for “tangerine” (橘, ju) and “orange” (桔, ju) sound like “luck” (吉, ji) while pomelo (柚, you) sounds like “to have.” Potted citrus plants can be spotted in shops, restaurants, and other public spaces around this time. The seeds also symbolize having lots of children, making seeded fruits and snacks ideal gifts for newly-married couples.

7. Chicken
Similarly to oranges and tangerines, the word “chicken” (鸡, ji) is a homonym for “luck.” Chicken is prepared a number of different ways across the country, but the important thing is that it remain whole to symbolize togetherness.

Photos: Caitriana Nicholson, Gary Stevens, Alpha, stu_spivack, Charles Haynes, Neil Conway, James D Kirk (Flickr)

For Beijingers, attending a miaohui (temple fair) comes second only to the family reunion dinner when it comes to Chinese New Year observances. Though miaohui started taking shape as early as the Wei dynasty (220-264 AD), the temple fair as we know it dates in earnest from the Tang era (618-907 AD).

As Buddhism and Taoism gained influence in China, temples started hosting festivals and celebrations tied to local deities and figures. Over time, these events started taking on cultural and commercial dimensions, with the development of temple markets (miaoshi) and folk performances.

During the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), the Quanzhen sect of Taoism spread throughout northern China and it was common for temple fairs to celebrate the achievements of Taoist figures. To this day, Taoist sites such as Beijing’s White Cloud Temple continue to hold temple fairs during Spring Festival.

Though miaohui have thrived into the present, the modern-day phenomenon is largely secular in character and rarely takes place at a temple. The commercial aspect is front and center, with a variety of vendors typically hawking snacks, toys, souvenirs, and traditional handicrafts like papercuts and clay figurines. Folk performances include lion dances, xiangshen (a Chinese comedy form), kung fu demonstrations, shadow puppet shows, and yangge, a type of harvest dance with roots in the Song dynasty.

This year, the official dates for Spring Festival are February 4-10 and mark the beginning of the Year of the Pig. February 4 is the eve of Spring Festival, when Chinese families traditionally gather for a lavish reunion dinner. Most temple fairs run from the first to the seventh day of Spring Festival (February 5-12). Make sure to call ahead for the most up-to-date information.

Ditan Park Temple Fair 地坛公园庙会
As one of the oldest temple fairs in Beijing, Ditan Park is a safe bet for first timers. The park contains the Temple of the Earth, where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors went to offer ritual sacrifices to the God of the Earth during the summer solstice. Reenactments of this ceremony are considered to be the highlight of the fair. A sea of red lanterns are hung all over the park for the occasion, with folk performances, historical costume displays, art exhibitions, vendors selling handicrafts, and food stalls with xiaochi (snacks) from Beijing, Sichuan, Tianjin, and Xinjiang.

Feb 5-12. Ditan Park, A2, Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6421 4657) 东城区安定门外大街2号地坛公园

Changdian Temple Fair 厂甸庙会
The Changdian temple fair has been around since the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (1521-1567) in the Ming dynasty. Historically, the fair took place in an area that contained three temples near Liulichang in Beijing’s former Xuanwu District. In 2011, the temple fair was moved to Taoranting Park, where it now hosts xiangsheng performances, Beijing opera, dragon dances, acrobatic shows, food vendors, and traditional handicraft stalls.

Feb 5-12, 8.30am-4.30pm. Taoranting Park, 19 Taiping Jie, Xicheng District (6315 9837) 西城区太平街19号陶然亭公园

Yuanmingyuan Royal Temple Fair 圆明园皇家庙会
Once known as “the Versailles of the East,” Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace) hosted Spring Festival celebrations for the imperial family during the Qing dynasty. Despite the site’s checkered history (it was pillaged and burned down by French and British forces during the Second Opium War), an annual temple fair was established there in 2010. Expect ice skating performances, cultural exhibitions, historical costume displays, and a “royal market” with imperial-style snacks, calligraphy, paintings, crafts, and lantern riddles.

Feb 5-12. Yuanmingyuan, 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6261 7801) 海淀区清华西路28号圆明园

Daguanyuan Temple Fair
Daguanyuan is based on an aristocratic garden described in the masterpiece A Dream of Red Mansions by Qing Dynasty author Cao Xueqin (1715-1763). The garden was built in 1983 to serve as a backdrop for the CCTV television series of the same name; it was opened to the public in 1989.

At Daguanyuan’s temple fair, visitors can get a sense of the grandness of the Red Mansions and the luxurious lifestyle of an upper-class Chinese family. Refined dishes from the novel will be available to try and actors will re-enact some of the novel’s classic passages. However, you do not have to be a Chinese literature buff to enjoy the event. Kids will find yummy snacks, jigsaw puzzles, magician sets, and toys for sale.

Daguanyuan Temple, 12 Nancaiyuan Xijie, Xicheng District (6354 4993) 西城区南菜园西街12号大观园

Dongyue Temple Fair 东岳庙庙会
Founded during the Yuan dynasty, Dongyue is a small Taoist temple dedicated to the god of Mount Tai, one of China’s five sacred Taoist mountains. Despite its modest size, the Dongyue temple fair is popular with locals. Entertainment includes kung fu displays, shadow puppet shows, Taoist music performances, and art exhibitions. Local calligraphers demonstrate their skills in chunlian, a type of Chinese New Year decoration featuring a pair of couplets written on vertical strips of paper. Chunlian are usually given away for free and designed to be hung around the front door.

Feb 5-12. 141 Chaoyangmen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (6551 0151) 朝阳区朝阳门外大街141号

White Cloud Temple Temple Fair 白云观庙会
The seat of the Taoist Association of China, White Cloud Temple hosts one of the few Spring Festival fairs that still retain a religious character. Every year, the devout visit the temple to burn incense sticks. In addition, there is a curious tradition associated with the large coin that hangs from White Cloud’s Wofeng Bridge; it is said that fortune will come to those who manage to hit the small brass bell hanging from the hole in the coin with a regular coin.

6 Baiyunguan Jie, Xicheng District (6344 3666) 西城区白云观街6号

Useful Vocabulary
Spring Festival – 春节 chunjie
Year of the Monkey – 猴年 hou nian
Temple fair – 庙会 miaohui
Lion dance – 舞狮 wushi
Dragon dance – 舞龙 wulong
Calligraphy – 书法 shufa
Chinese New Year paintings – 年画 nianhua
Chinese New Year couplets – 春联 chunlian
Snacks – 小吃 xiaochi
Worship the gods – 拜神 baishen
Buddhism – 佛教 fojiao
Buddhist – 佛教徒 fojiao tu or 佛教的 fojiao de
Taoism – 道教 daojiao
Taoist – 道教徒 daojiao tu or 道教的 daojiao de

Photos: Song Zhen, Jean Wang, & Bridget Coila (flickr)

Two weekends ago, my friends and I escaped to Wulingshan National Forest Park (雾灵山国家级自然保护) in Hebei. Over a period of six hours, we hiked 19km – around 1,000m in elevation – to the top of the mountain and stayed at the only hotel on the summit. Along the way, we saw “strange trees,” circled sunny mountain roads, and saw a cartoonishly beautiful sunset.

We left on the express bus (980快) on a Saturday at 7.30am from Dongzhimen; though there was a queue, it moved very quickly as buses arrived back-to-back. Tickets cost RMB 15 without an IC card and only around RMB 5 with an IC card. After encountering some traffic on the airport expressway, we arrived in Miyun around 3.5 hours later.

We got off at a pre-arranged stop where a driver with a minivan was waiting for us. You can also disembark at the Miyun bus station, where there are plenty of black cars available. It cost us RMB 350 to get to the west gate of Wulingshan Park.

Part 1: Strange Trees
We paid admission at the west gate and finally started our hike. This trek is best-suited to older kids, and even then it would be a stretch to scale the entire 19km to the summit. Luckily, there are several parking lots along the way so that families can opt to start their hike closer to the top or hire one of the numerous black minivans when they’re tired.

The first stretch consisted of easy stone paths and stairs winding underneath a canopy of trees. Relatively swanky squat toilets are scattered throughout this section, so take advantage of them while you still can. We soon arrived at the impressive Longtan Waterfall, where we had lunch; kids will have fun spotting tiny shrimp in the cold, clear waters.

Take a moment to read the bilingual English and Chinese descriptions; some of the translations were downright baffling. One entitled “Strange Trees” sat in front of some perfectly normal-looking trees. “The unique ecological environment, created the tree growth shapes, all sorts of strange things, part of this strange trees – strange trees,” read the sign.

There’s a cable car towards the end of this section, which the tout with the loudspeaker near Longtan Waterfall will try to convince you to shell out RMB 50 for. Personally, I didn’t think it was worth it because it only covered a short distance; tired kids may beg to differ. Be warned that the alternative path is quite challenging in parts, with steep stairs and roots jutting out of dirt paths. I don’t recommend it for people with bad knees.

Part 2: Winding Roads
Once we cleared the difficult path, we arrived at another parking lot where we restocked on water and had a break. Take the stairs to the top level of the parking lot; it’s worth the panoramic views.

We then set off for the second leg of the hike, which led us on paved roads winding around the mountain. At first, cars threatened to run us off the road but they soon tapered off, leaving us to admire the purple wildflowers and tree-covered peaks.

After about an hour of hiking, we arrived at a plateau with a garish orange hotel that someone compared to The Shining. We could see a telecommunications tower in the distance that marked the summit of Wulingshan, where we’d be staying overnight. So close and yet so far!

Part 3: “The Best Sunset I’ve Ever Seen”
The last stretch was the longest, if not the hardest; it took us around two hours to reach the top. We soon cleared the tree line, which made us stop and admire the breathtaking views. Half of us took off our shoes for the last 30 minutes of the climb, feet aching with the exertion of walking nearly six hours uphill.

Just before reaching the top, we could see rays of sunlight reflecting off the Miyun Reservoir; from far away, it looked like a diamond in the distance. We started to feel the mountain chill as the wind picked up and the sun started its descent.

When we rounded the bend and finally reached Wulingshan Summit Hotel (雾灵山顶峰西山宾馆), it was with an overwhelming sense of relief and accomplishment. We put in an order for roast lamb leg (RMB 220) at the attached restaurant and hurried to the peak to catch the sunset. One of us declared it “one of the best – if not the best – sunset I’ve ever seen.”

We took celebratory photos next to the stone marker on the peak – 2,118m! – and settled in to watch the sun go down. The view was only slightly marred by the telecommunications tower, which lent the scene a futuristic feel.

We then rushed down again for an unobstructed view of the sunset, but missed the last rays by a matter of seconds. Upon heading back to the hotel, we were surprised to discover the moon already in the sky – huge, round, and milky white.

Part 5: Mao Coats and Lamb Legs
There was only one problem: three of us rather stupidly forgot to bring warm layers. Luckily, a hut near the hotel rented out Mao-style padded cotton coats for RMB 10 (RMB 50 deposit required). As you can imagine, we took loads of silly photos.

After the sunset, we gobbled up our dinner like ravenous wolves. Apart from the lamb leg, we ordered two plates of delicious wild vegetables called “dragon’s beard grass” (龙须草, longxu cao), hot pot vegetables, shredded potatoes, deer meat omelet, and more. The country-style dishes tasted delicious after a long day of hiking.

Our accommodations were surprisingly pleasant, with clean sheets, western-style toilets, warm blankets, and plenty of hot water. Between the eight of us, we booked one room with a double bed and two rooms with three beds each. The latter cost RMB 320 per night and the former cost RMB 480 per night on weekends – a bit steep, but not surprising given the season and the fact that they have a monopoly on the summit.

Two people from our group got up at 4am to watch the sun rise, but most of us opted to sleep like logs. “Take a video,” we told them. As far as we can tell from the pictures, it was a glorious affair.

The next morning, we decided to rent a minivan to get down the mountain; some of us were adversely affected by the altitude, and had developed colds and/or headaches during the night. Secretly, I was relieved. After some haggling, a driver drove us to the north gate of Wulingshan National Forest Park for RMB 50 per person.

Our original driver was waiting for us at the foot of the mountain and took us to the Miyun bus station for another RMB 350. We were back in Beijing by 2pm, with plenty of time to do other things and full of great memories from the trip.

In a Nutshell

• Where? Wulingshan National Forest Park in Chengde, Hebei
• What? Hiking, admiring the scenery, and staying overnight on a mountain peak
• Who? Ages 10 and above
•  How much? RMB 120 for admission to the park
• What to bring? Good hiking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, comfortable clothes for hiking, warm layers and a windbreaker for the summit, and enough cash to cover food, transportation, and accommodations

Travel Tips:

• A simple Chinese breakfast of mantou, pickled vegetables, fermented tofu, and soup was included in the price of the hotel rooms. Chinese guests tend to eat very early, so get there before 8am if you can.
• It’s very cold at the peak (between 10-15°C at sundown), so make sure to bring warm clothes.
• Sunrise was around 4.20am in mid-July; check before going if you want to rise on time.
• The hotel staff don’t speak English, but were very friendly and accommodating; they can help you book a car from the summit to the foot of the mountain if needed, but you’ll have to do your own haggling.
• Don’t forget your passport for check-in.

Photos: Sijia Chen and courtesy of Wu Tong

Every autumn, hordes of eager tourists descend upon Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) Park to take in the blushing maple, smoke, and sweet gum trees. Take heart: there’s plenty to see in the park’s 395 acres besides Incense Burner Peak (Xianglu Feng), named for two rocky outcroppings that (very) vaguely resemble incense burners. Lace up your hiking shoes and head to the northwest of Beijing to explore the various temples, pavilions, and lakes. For a more rewarding experience, drop in on a weekday to avoid the swarms of visitors.

Kick start your day by heading to the Fragrant Hills branch of Sculpting in Time Cafe (1). This airy coffeehouse offers soups, sandwiches, pastas,
salads, breakfast, and coffee. The blonde wood accents, billowing white drapes, and roaming cats come straight out of a vacation postcard. Take your cup of joe to the second floor patio for an expansive view of the mountains.

Enter through the East Gate (2) of Fragrant Hills Park. There, a path branches out into two major routes: north and south. The southern path, which snakes through the park, is more challenging as it ends in a two-hour hike to the peak, Xianglu Feng. Along the way, visitors can see Shuangqing Villa (Mao Zedong’s former residence) and the ruins of Fragrant Hills Temple.

The northern path leads to the Chairlift Station (3) and is better suited to families with strollers or small children. There’s a Chinese restaurant called Songling Canting on the way up; otherwise, the park’s numerous food stalls sell the usual fangbian mian and soft drinks. Zhao Miao, or Bright Temple, the park’s Tibetan-style lamasery, is currently closed for repairs.

Be forewarned: the RMB 50 price tag is good for one way up the chairlift only. Once you ascend the 557m to Xianglu Feng, you’ll either have to fork out another 50 kuai or walk down. That said, the views from the chairlift are breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see all across Fragrant Hills’ western slope and beyond to Beijing’s skyline.

Here is more about what to expect.

Photos: Sijia Chen

Beijing may have a profusion of indoor water parks and swimming pools, but on those hot, muggy summer days all the kids really want is to splash around in the sun. Barring a weekend trip, it’s surprisingly difficult to find a good outdoor pool with decent facilities and within a reasonable distance from home. Here’s a roundup of outdoor pools ranging from the basic to the luxurious. All prices and hours are accurate as of print time.
Qingnianhu Park
Qingnianhu Park boasts a massive water park with pools for kids, serious swimmers, hot tubs, and slides. There isn’t much shade, so be sure to bring hats, sunscreen, and other sun protection. The admission price includes access to the wider park.

RMB 40 for adults, RMB 30 for kids under 1.3m. Daily 9am-7pm from June to August. Qingnianhu Park, Andingmen Waidajie (corner of Andeli Beijie), Dongcheng District (8411 6321) 东城区安定门外大街青年湖公园（安德里北街路口）

Splash Recreation Club
This long-running hotel swim club is a favorite with many Beijing families. Based out of CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport (formerly known as the Sino-Swiss Hotel), the Splash Recreation Club
(浪花俱乐部 lànghuā jùlèbù) is open to outside guests, and grants access to the hotel’s indoor and outdoor pools, a poolside bar, and a restaurant. The admission price includes towels and a locker.

RMB 100 for adults, RMB 50 for kids over 1m, free for kids under 1m. Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm. CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport, 9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi District (6456 5588) www.citichotelbeijing.com 顺义区小天竺南路9号北京国都大饭店

The Emperor
For a touch of luxury, The Emperor hotel has a glass-edged outdoor pool open to outside guests. It ain’t cheap, but the lack of crowds and views of surrounding Qianmen may well be worth the indulgence. The admission price includes towels and a locker. On weekends, The Emperor also offers a buffet breakfast from 7am to 10.30am.

RMB 258 for three hours (kids and adults). The Emperor Hotel, 87 Xianyukou Jie, Dongcheng District (6701 7790) www.theemperor.com.cn/en/index.html 东城区鲜鱼口街87号皇家驿栈前门店

Chaoyang Park
Chaoyang Park Water World features 250,000sqm of pools, slides, artificial beach, and beach volleyball facilities. Sure, the outdoor pools can get crowded during the summer, but it doesn’t get much more convenient than this. The drawback is that Chaoyang Park’s pools open later than most; when we called, an employee said they wouldn’t know the new admission prices and opening hours until the end of June.

2016 prices and opening hours TBA. Chaoyang Park, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6506 5409) 朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号朝阳公园

Tuanjiehu Park
This one inspires a lot of debate; some parents hate the Tuanjiehu Park water park, while others swear by it. It’s a modest affair by any standards, consisting only of a large pool and a small beach, but its location makes it a standard for many Sanlitun families. Our advice? Try it for yourself.

RMB 60 (weekdays) or RMB 80 (weekends) for adults and kids over 1m, free for kids under 1m. Open daily 9.30am-8.30pm from June 1 to August 31. Tuanjiehu Park, Tuanjiehu Nanli, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (8597 4677) 朝阳区东三环北路团结湖南里团结湖公园

This article originally appeared on page 28-29 of the 2016 June-July Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Scott and Elaine Ver Der Chijs, Sergei Galyonkin