Upon opening the door to our adjoining rooms on the 18th floor of the China World Hotel, the first thing that hit me were the bright colors! Hotels are notoriously neutrally decorated and for good reason, so they are calm & clean looking, but this was a happy surprise. We were welcomed by a tiger-tent filled with ball-pit balls and bright orange Winnie the Pooh pillows. The next room was filled with Cars’ Lightning McQueen bedspreads, pillows, towels, and a tall pirate tent.

The kids ran in, full of excitement and inspected every nook and cranny, yelling, “look at this” and “look at that”. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the CCTV building, FFC, China World Phase 3 Summit Wing, and many other Beijing landmarks: a breathtaking cityscape. The adults had fancy imported French L’Occitane body products while the other toiletries, by Pasión, were especially for kids.

We ate in four venues inside the hotel, starting with afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge. This was probably the kid’s favorite. Instead of tea, they were given hot chocolate: a bamboo tray with a big chocolate bear in a tall double glass with a cute hand-painted teapot full of warm milk beside it. There was a long stirrer and another bowl with fluffy marshmallows on a heart-skewer (the staff were so kind as to leave the skewer out of Constance’s marshmallows). The tea delicacies included scones with clotted cream, orange carrot cake, smoked salmon and ham finger sandwiches.

We had dinner in their Peking duck restaurant, called Summer Palace. It is beautiful! We ate river prawns, truffle scallops, braised tofu, and noodles. They have high chairs and children’s cutlery but the atmosphere is more restrained, quiet and grown-up or business-like. Not really a place for a 2-year old to yell, drop mouthfuls of noodles, or pull her diaper down…

The next day we visited the two buffet-style restaurants: breakfast in the Horizon Club (as we were in a Horizon room) and lunch in Scene a Café. I think it’s safe to say that children love buffets, so they were running from the giant honeycomb to the donuts, sashimi, salami, cupcakes, cereal, fresh juice – you get the picture. Scene a Café had a kid’s play area with a slide and toys, which Constance absolutely loved.

Besides eating, we played a board game like Sorry! that was in our room, and went swimming in the pool (they have caps if you forget). The two older kids were quickly asked to leave the gym as they tried to pick up the dumbbells and climb the rock-climbing tread-mill-wall. There is a hot tub and a freezing-cold whirlpool each in the designated changing rooms. And, yes, we watched HBO, NatGeo and ate fruit and lots of chocolate from the generous welcome baskets in our rooms.

To be honest, I would not have thought of China World Hotel, if anyone had asked me advice on a staycation, but now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, it really is a wonderful hotel with exceptionally kind, attentive staff (from the servers to cleaners) and great value for money considering. When we got home, it felt like we had been away for days.

What’s the deal?

• Package rate starts at RMB 1080 + 16%*
• One night stay (Friday – Sunday & public holidays)
• RMB 500 credit to use towards food & beverage, laundry, limo service or fitness classes
• Kids’ tent (under 6) or extra bed in room (under 2)
• Kids’ welcome amenities
• Horizon Club benefits (depending on your room type)
• Free WiFi
• 11am early check-in
• 4pm late check-out, availability allowing
• For more info: 6505 8885
  *10 percent for service charge & 6 percent for stays

1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang
建国门外大街1号
6505 2266
cwh@shangri-la.com
www.shangri-la.com

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our event page.

Spring Fairs and Pre-Summer Parties

For a list of upcoming similar activities, visit Your Spring Fair Calendar: Celebrate the Season of Blossom and Sunshine at These Schools

INN Spring Bazaar – Take 2 and Fashion Show, May 16
All ages. Join the International Newcomers Network (INN) on May 16th at the Hilton Beijing rooftop in Liangmaqiao for the INN Spring Bazaar – Take 2! There will be 30+ fabulous vendors on hand and DJ Mookie-She to rock out the tunes. World-renowned fashion designer Chen Bei of Bei Garden fame along with her Beistyle brand will also attend the bazaar to share her fashion designs with everyone. 10am-3pm. Free to attend. The Hilton Beijing, Liangmaqiao. (WeChat ID: JulesBeijing)

Jazz in the Park & Identity Film Festival, May 18
All ages. Make your way to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) for a jazz music festival featuring student, staff, and professional bands! There will be plenty of activities going on while you tap your toes to all of the live music going on. Bring along your picnic blanket and settle in under the stars as the silver screen lights up with films made by Beijing’s best international school student directors, producers, and actors. Free. 7-9pm. WAB (5986 5588; wabinfo@wab.edu).

Rock in the Park & WAB Fun Fair, May 19
All ages. Join the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) community at the biggest outdoor event of the school year! The WAB Fun Fair features games, water attractions, and activities for the little ones, while Rock in the Park is an all-day music festival for everyone. Rock out on the WAB campus while enjoying food and drinks from your favorite Beijing vendors, as well as booths from dozens of local businesses and organizations. Free. 9am-5pm. WAB. (wabinfo@wab.edu; kjiao@wab.edu).

BIBA Family Fair, May 19
All ages. Come and join in all the fun at Beijing International Bilingual Academy’s (BIBA) 2018 Family Fair. Open to the public to enjoy games, shopping, food, student performances, and a day of fun that’s suitable for the whole family. Free. 9.30am-3.30pm. Beijing International Bilingual Academy (8041 0390; adam@bibachina.org).

ISB Spring Fair 2018, May 19
All ages. The annual International School of Beijing (ISB) Spring Fair is a community event and expat fair full of games, raffles, shopping, and food. Pulled together by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) volunteers, more than 5,000 visitors will attend the event and over 200 sponsors and vendors are slated to participate. The Spring Fair offers child-friendly carnival games, shopping with unique and artisan vendors, grand prize raffle draws, delicious food from a wide variety of Beijing and international cuisines, and of course, live entertainment. Free. 10am-5pm. International School of Beijing (springfair@isb.bj.edu.cn).

Unity Day at Daystar Academy, May 19
All ages. This year’s Unity Day, hosted by Ivy Education Group, promises to be its most celebrated one yet! Highlights include a marquee performance by Yale University’s all gender a cappella group the Redhot & Blue, Beijing’s award-winning soul/funk/R&B band Tavey Lean & the Solid Gold Dream Machine, bouncy castles, activity booths, delicious food, and much more! Free. 3-8pm. Daystar Academy (8446 4189 ext. 817; Lindsay.bian@ivygroup.org).

Vegan Outreach Dinner @ ARORA, May 16
All ages. Vegans of Beijing holds an outreach dinner with Israeli dishes from guest chef Sharon Dekel. The dinner takes place on May 16. Starts 7pm. RMB 160 (includes a five-course meal and a drink). Extract the QR code on the poster above to book tickets. Vegans of Beijing. ARORA No. 110, Tower 11, Central Park, No. 6 Chaowaidajie, Chaoyang. (WeChat ID: S12sherr, 151 1014 0741, sarah.lovatt@hotmail.com).

Italian Summer Party on Annie’s Ritan Rooftop, May 19
Adults. Annie’s Ritan presents an Italian summer party on their rooftop. Don’t miss the cold cuts, hot buffet, free-flow beer and wine. Bring your favorite dance moves and dance together with Annie’s special DJ, Party Party. 6.30-9.30pm. RMB 150 (entrance fee). Annie’s. (RSVP 8569 3031, 8569 3013, WeChat ID: anniesmarlon)

Bloom with These Workshops 

Women’s Retreat Beijing: Be You, May 19-20
Adults. Give Mom a break this May and send her off for a women-only retreat which promises to nourish body and soul. “Be You” takes place on May 19-20 in the luxurious surroundings of East Hotel, and includes an icebreaking hula hoop session, spa time, a workshop with a life coach, a comedy show, and a goodie bag. RMB 2,100 (solo package), RMB (1,800 per person for a duo package). East Hotel Beijing. (WeChat: BerryThoughtfulLife, paulus155, pflivanhasselt@yahoo.com)

Volunteering: How Helping Others Helps You, May 16
All ages. BeHive and SCO Countries Youth League invite everyone to their co-hosted workshop on May 16. Participants at the workshop will explore why volunteering matters for personal and professional development, and hear from an experienced community leader on how to make the most of your volunteer experience. RMB 40 (RMB 20 for students with an ID card), inclusive of food and light refreshments. University of International Business and Economics, Qiu Zhen Building, International Students Library, 1st floor. For more info, scan the QR code on the poster above.

You at YOUR BEST: A Beijing Women’s Network Health Living Series Event, May 17
Adults. Join the Beijing Women’s Network Healthy Living Series workshop “You at Your Best,” as they hope to inspire women to wake up the BEST YOU and have fun! There will be some time allocated for participants to reflect on their personal life and painting it out (no need to be skilled). The workshop is divided into: (1) mindfulness meditation (sit quietly and focusing on natural breathing), (2) mindful painting (meditating with the brush in hands), and (3) group reflection, sharing, and Q&A. 7-9pm. RMB 60 (book tickets here). Beijing Women’s Network. TIE Family Club, Rm 102, Unit 1, Bld 9, Yard 2, Guomeidiyicheng Compound, Qingnian Rd, Chaoyang District (5 mins biking from Metro Line 6, Qingnian Road, Joy City Shopping Mall, Exit B) 北京朝阳区青年路国美第一城2号院9号楼1单元102. (gianinacornea@yahoo.com).

Tea Talk-Understanding and Helping Children with Anxiety, May 18
Adults. 3e International School’s “Tea Talk” for May helps parents learn how to understand, support, and help their children grow to become emotionally resilient. Children growing up in the current environment continue to experience many daily pressures and may have difficulty dealing with or expressing their anxious feelings. This workshop will help parents identify when their children need support and help parents guide children through effective communication and tools for their life journey ahead. Presented by Dr Yun-Ju Wang, LIH Olivia’s Place Psychology consultant. Free. 9am-10:30am. 3e International School (community@3einternationalschool.org).

More Upcoming Events

Music Under the Stars Musical Series at Daystar Academy, May 15 and 22
All ages. Ivy Education Group presents the sounds of an all-cello rock ensemble, the Low Strung from Yale University. Hear up close and personal insights from Yale students, along with their recommendations and takeaways from life at Yale, followed by a performance from the all gender a cappella group the Redhot & Blue (May 22, 6.30-8.30pm). RMB 60-100. Daystar Academy (8446 4189 ext. 817, Lindsay.bian@ivygroup.org).

INN Shunyi Coffee Morning at BSB Shunyi, May 17
Adults. The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi is hosting this months’ International Newcomers Network (INN) Shunyi coffee morning. Join them on May 17 “where new and seasoned expats connect.” 10am-noon. Free to attend. The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi, Chatterbox Cafe (8047 3588, www.bsbshunyi.com)

The Rescue: A Live Film-Concerto, May 16
All ages. Chabad Beijing presents The Rescue, the story of Jose Arturo Castellanos, a Salvadoran diplomat who saved tens of thousands from the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. There will be a screening of the documentary film by Alvaro and Boris Castellanos, with a special live musical soundtrack performance by the Castellanos ensemble. The film will be followed by a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Jewish History of China Museum in Beijing. Starts 7.30pm. For info about ticket prices, email info@chabadbeijing.cn. Beijing United Family Hospital Auditorium.

Kentucky Derby: The American Ball, May 19
Adults. AmCham China’s famous Silent and Live Auction returns with an array of luxury, home, travel, fashion and dining bargains for one night only! Proceeds from the ball will support local charitable causes, including NBA Cares. The program starts from 5.30pm. RMB 1,450 (individual ticket; book here). AmCham China. China World Hotel, Beijing No. 1 Jianguomen Outer Street. (Su Cheng Harris-Simpson, 5869 3772, theamericanball@amchamchina.org).

World on Campus: 2018 Beijing Normal University International Culture Festival, May 20
All ages. Beijing Normal University, located north of the Second Ring Road, holds its International Culture Festival on May 20, which begins with a national flag parade followed by cultural performances on stage. Attendees will have the chance to explore the international booths set up by students, play carnival games, or even learn how to make a bowl of lamian. Free to attend. 9am-5pm. Beijing Normal University.

The True Cost Documentary Screening, May 24
Adults. The Beijing Clothing Auction Network, Live With Less, and The Bulk House are hosting a screening of The True Cost, a documentary film about clothing. Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth, and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is a project that invites us on an eyeopening journey around the world, and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 7-9pm. The Bookworm (130 7116 2353).

Photos: TheDigitalArtist via Pixabay; courtesy of event organizers