National Holiday – Beijing Kids

Hit the Slopes this Winter with Imagine’s Ski Camps and Getaways

Drew Pittock — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:00:12 +0000

If you follow our sister publication, The Beijinger, then you’ll know that Beijing kind of, sort of, got its first snowfall of the season last weekend. Okay, we admit, we’re being a bit generous in bestowing those wintry words upon a couple of fluke flakes that fell in the northern most reaches of our fair city. But still, we’re pretty darn excited about it. In fact we’re so excited that a few of us are already wrapping ourselves in scarves and donning our finest mittens and knittens, ready to turn this brain-freeze up to 11.

Outdoor sports organizers Imagine are also getting their winter holidays in order with various opportunities to hit the slopes across Asia over the next few months. Perhaps the largest events are the Chongli Ski Camps, which are overnight trips for students age 7-14 at the Olympic Thaiwoo Ski Resort in Hebei Province, just two and a half hours from Beijing. Between December 16 and February 3, Imagine will be hosting six week-long trips that will help even the most novice of skiers become seasoned pros.

Prices range from RMB 8580 for the Full Package to RMB 2380 for the Only-Training Package, with an additional RMB 1000 if scheduled during a national holiday. Both packages include transport to and from Beijing (leaving Monday, returning Friday), breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a fully qualified English-speaking instructor. What’s more, the Full Package includes accommodation in a hostel-style room at the resort. Lastly, if you sign up with two or more friends, everyone gets to enjoy an RMB 500 discount.

Additionally, throughout the season, Imagine will be facilitating school-wide ski trips to Beijing, Chongli, or Japan. If you prefer to stay local this winter, private ski lessons open to all ages and taught by qualified, multilingual instructors will be offered at Beijing and Chongli resorts. And for those kids age 7-18 who want to test their skills, the 8th International Schools Snow Sports Championship China (ISSCC) will take place at Thaiwoo Ski Resort from February 28 – March 1.

According to Pete Tupper, Imagine’s founder, “Skiing is a really great way to get kids outside and help build their confidence and character. It’s not a sport that’s particularly easy, so seeing a kid’s smile after they make their first turns or learn each new trick is really rewarding. It’s also one of the few sports that a whole family can enjoy together.”

For more information about Chongli Ski Camps click here, and for ISSCC click here.

For more information about all of Imagine’s events, you can scan the QR codes on the poster above.

Photos: Pixabay, Imagine

Dragon Boat Festival: Boat Races, Zongzi, and More for the Family

Nicole Bonnah — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 00:00:41 +0000

Not quite sure what to do this weekend with the family to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival? We have some inspiration to get you started. Dragon Boat celebrations wouldn’t be the same without zongzi making, familiarizing yourself with Chinese traditional snacks and the history behind them, as well as going to see a Dragon Boat race on one of the many scenic rivers in Beijing and the surrounding areas. Take a look at the activities we’ve picked out for you and the family to enjoy.

Chinese Zongzi Dumpling Workshop, Jun 7

It’s time for you and the family to immerse yourself in some traditional Chinese culture to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival. You and the family can refine your zongzi dumpling making skills and partake in some traditional Chinese snacks at the Riviera Club this Saturday. Zongzi are traditional sticky rice parcels, made with fruit and wrapped in bamboo leaf.

Traditionally used to worship the ancestors and divinities, zongzi is now a popular snack usually enjoyed during Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate the patriotic poet, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest in a river and was later paid homage to by preparing and throwing zongzi into rivers on the day of his sacrifice. There are limited places, so book now. For further information and registration contact: 8450 6888. All ages. Free June 7. 2-3pm. The Riviera Clubhouse, Shunyi.

Dragon Boat Festival Open House Party, Jun 7

Black Sesame Kitchen and The Courtyard Institute are inviting families to an afternoon of Chinese food, zongzi wrapping, and traditional activities. There will be lots of arts and crafts, tasty snacks, and rice dumplings. Black Sesame Kitchen has long been one of my favorite spots to enjoy communal dining and cooking classes. Families can look forward to enjoying this weekend’s celebration in the comfort of a beautiful Chinese courtyard, and in the company of an exceptional team of people who have a real passion for China and its cuisine. This one is perfect for parents and their little ones. All ages. RMB 150 ages 4 and up, children 3 and under free). 10-2pm. Black Sesame Kitchen, 28 Zhong Lao Hutong, Dongcheng District.

Old Summer Palace, Jun 7

I love the Summer Palace, its regal setting and atmosphere, and of course its beautiful lake surrounded by historic buildings and nature. Beautifully scenic and traditional, it is the perfect setting for the family to soak in some sun and boat racing this weekend. You will be able to watch a selection of national and international sport club teams race along the river while you munch down on a family picnic and cheer! All Ages. Free (RMB 5 park entrance fee). June 7. 9-12pm. Old Summer Palace.

Olympic Park, Jun 8

Take the family for a day out at Olympic Park to see beautifully hand-painted Dragon Boats race along the river. There will be the beating of drums and the cries of local sport teams from Beijing International Sports Club as they battle it out on the water. You can take a walk along the river or pick a spot to watch the boats at your leisure as the world goes by. Let’s hope for blue skies and lots of sunshine. All Ages. Free. June 8. 9-12pm. Olympic Park, Water Park Side.

Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament, Jun 15

A selection of Nordic Dragon Boat teams will be inviting you to follow the exciting events of a race between 20 teams from the Nordic community in Beijing, as they race it out for the title of Nordic Champion. This will be the second annual Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament, and is set to once more be the ultimate team challenge. Bus transportation will be provided for all teams and spectators to and from the Grand Canal in Tongzhou. Buses will be leaving from Liangmaqiao at 7.15 – 7.45am. Tickets can be purchased for transport-only spectators, or those who would like to enjoy the breakfast provided. The event is a joint effort organized by SwedCham, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Business Council, and the Norwegian Business Association. All ages. Free (No breakfast or transportation) RMB 100 (Including breakfast and transportation) RMB 50 (Including transportation). June 15. 9-1pm. The Grand Canal, Tongzhou.

Photos: courtesy of organizers, Pixabay, Weixin

Cheap Escapes from the Rush of Golden Week

Andy Penafuerte III — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 07:00:19 +0000

Even though Golden Week is still almost two months away, when it comes to national holiday travel plans, you really cannot start too soon. Anyone who has ever traveled in mainland China during this peak period knows just how much cheaper, easier and maybe just plain wiser it is to barricade yourself at home for the duration with plenty of entertainment and snacks. But that’s not for everyone.

If you have discovered the golden key of going abroad to make the most of the holidays, you may have realized that Chinese tourists have also found that key and are using it more than you. If you are determined to get out of the country at any cost, be ready to pay more than usual, even with the best deals. Check out these relatively affordable escape routes from Beijing but don’t wait until the last day, because they are likely to sell out any minute now.

Busan, South Korea (from RMB 1,180)

Breeze and possibly still swimmable waters will greet you in Busan. The coastline stretches all along the city, lined with shiny skyscrapers interspersed with plenty of green areas. Busan offers an abundance of decent hiking and leisurely walking routes. However, the city is situated in a relatively mountainous area, so even a simple bike ride in the city might bring out some serious sweat. Spend an afternoon in a colorful, cute, art-filled village perfect for your Instagram feed. Sample Busan’s unique, wide-ranging cuisine and seafood. One-way tickets for the last days of September go for a little below RMB 1,200, with the steepest one hitting RMB 1,530 on the weekend. Flights back to Beijing swirl around RMB 1,300 for the first week of October.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (from RMB 800)

Kuala Lumpur itself is slightly boring, too hot and not very pedestrian-friendly for a Southeast Asian city. However, it offers some of the best variety of food. Stuff your tummy with local and Indian delicacies (the Indian community is going strong in KL, so grab a sari and stock up on spices while you’re at the market). Unless you are dying to visit all of the museums in KL, try to designate a day to those urban attractions before sliding over to the beach. Port Dickson is the closest one to the city (45 minutes away), but it may not be as impressive as Batu Ferringhi, which has the right mix of clean water and sandy beaches to make you feel completely removed from overrun national-holiday Beijing. Tickets to Kuala Lumpur almost double in price during the last week of September, but you can squeeze in a few days of beach if you leave on Oct 5 (RMB 809) and come back on the 9th (RMB 1,222).

Bangkok, Thailand (from RMB 816)

Expats and locals in China can all agree that Thailand is the ultimate tropical oasis within spitting distance. Bangkok serves travelers of all kinds, and there are plenty of sights worth visiting in this bustling city. Roam the temples for a day and then sip coconut water straight from the husk (after spicing it up with a cheeky splash of rum, perhaps). Numerous travel agencies are willing to lead you around the beaches and jungles if time is tight. The cheapest tickets to Bangkok go for RMB 816 on Oct 5. If you want to spend more time in Thailand, open your wallet a tad wider and leave on Oct 2 for RMB 1,365.

Hanoi, Vietnam (from RMB 1,270)

No one is judging if you choose to swap the buzz of one city for the buzz of another. Hanoi rests on a lush and seemingly peaceful river, while an incredibly fast-paced (and borderline hazardous) scooter-mounted population zooms about not far from the water’s edge. The city is home to colorful and photogenic scenes and French-inspired architecture. Find more ideas for Hanoi adventures here. Tickets get cheaper in the second half of the week (Oct 5 for RMB 1,270), but if you need more time, aim to depart on either Thursday the week before (Sept 28, RMB 1,906) or Sunday (Oct 1, RMB 2,165).

Bali, Indonesia (From RMB 933)

Bali is great because you can almost step right out of the plane and onto a beach. While they may be lacking in palm trees in Kuta, if you head north (Bali island is pretty small and possible to tour around in three days), you might just find the serenity that is missed in Beijing. While Bali is certainly not the cheapest destination (think: years and years of development for the local tourism industry), you can still hunt down cheap eats in local warungs and markets. If the smell of incense is too intense, hop on a boat to the nearby Gili Meno or Gili Air islands that neighbor Lombok for slow, makeup-free days. (Skip Gili Trawangan unless you’re in Bali seeking new beer pong venues and sports bars.) Tickets to Denpasar (Bali) sell for RMB 933 on Oct 5. Your ideal return date is Tuesday (Oct 10, RMB 1,873). If you’re unable to call in sick for two more days, Sunday tickets are almost RMB 3,000.

Ticket hunting is best performed on Sky Scanner and purchased on Ctrip. If you don’t care about the destination and simply want to get out of Mainland China for a few days, pick your departure date and use Sky Scanner’s great destination-free option by selecting “Everywhere” for the cheapest places that day. A word of caution: you may end up in Khabarovsk Novy (from RMB 772), and we can’t speak to how fun that may be. It could be fantastic for all we know.

Photos: Grasshopper Adventures, The Jakarta Post, Wikipedia Commons, Vietnam Guide

This post first appeared on our sister site, The Beijinger. See more stories from the author here.

11 Ideas for When You’re Stuck in the City for the Holiday

vanessajencks — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 09:00:54 +0000

While you wait for the city to end its exodus to the famed laojia, here are some ideas of what you could do with all that free time on your hands and kids home from school.

(You should call ahead of time to check each venue’s opening hours during this holiday break.)

Hangout at the plethora of playgrounds in the city.

Kidsteam (pictured in the top image) and the Lego Center, both in Shine Hills, are good options.

InKIDS at the Yintai Center is extra cuddly.

The Pororo Theme Park at the Aegean Mall in Chaoyang District might keep your Korean-culture-loving kid busy all day.

If you feel guilty leaving your other to watch the kids while you slip away for a coffee, leave the guilt at Exciting Kids Land, where you can get a latte at the playground.

Check out books at Beijing’s Peekabook Library.

Get your kids outside on a nice day for a bit of human-sized “game” action at Counter Strike adventures.

Explore art and cake at the Black Saw flagship store and Luo Hong Art Museum.

If you’re a lucky one with an ayi willing to work during this holiday, experience a bit of homey, modern Chinese culture at Xiao Diao Li Tang restaurant.

Break away from the city for a day trip and check out the Nangong Scenic Area (above) or try a hike at one of these five scenic areas (one pictured below).