We’re all too familiar with Universal Studios and Happy Valley, but many of us have never heard of Chimu Wonderland. It’s a 43,500sqm fantasy land built with rustic wooden architecture where fairy tales are meant to feel real. They don’t have the crazy, exciting roller coasters. What they’ve got is more similar to what you’d find at a carnival.

But every year when Halloween rolls around, the park traditionally transforms into a pumpkin paradise.

There are literally pumpkins and Halloween decorations everywhere. There are outdoor playgrounds for kids and even a small petting zoo.

Families are allowed to bring in their camping equipment, so if you bundle up, you can make it an all-day picnic event.

Right now, the park is decorated with countless pumpkins, haystacks, and whimsical settings like a pumpkin carriage and Hobbit-style cottages, making it an incredibly photogenic spot for those looking for a super cute pumpkin patch vibe for their annual Halloween kids’ photoshoot.

Prices:
RMB 79.9 for all ages and includes three tickets for rides within the park.
RMB 128 for all ages and includes unlimited rides within the park.

If you go on the weekends, be sure to catch their pumpkin parade during the day and stay for the interactive kids’ shows.

Find it: 
13 Laiguangying Beilu, Chaoyang District (take Exit C at Qingheying station on subway Line 17, then walk 300 meters from the west gate of Wenyu River Park)
朝阳区来广营北路13号地铁17号线清河营C
口出温榆河公园西门步行300

Images: Douyin, Dianping

The Forbidden City is one of the most phenomenal historical sites to see. There is an unwritten law that says that one cannot come to Beijing without seeing the Forbidden City. My grandparents visited us for my tenth birthday recently, but unfortunately, we could not go because of the military parade. But we had a backup plan.

The unwritten law says you’ve got to see the Forbidden City, so instead of actually visiting the palace, we would still be able to see the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, 景山公园.

Jingshan Park is located north of the Forbidden City, and on a clear day, one can climb to the top of a hill situated inside the park and be rewarded with a stunning view of the grand Forbidden City. On the other side, one can view the famous Confucius Temple, Beihai Park and even the National Theater. I have been inside the Palace Museum, but I never knew exactly how vast it is. On top of that hill, we could finally see the true size of the Forbidden City. Interestingly, this hill happens to be a tall mound of dirt. Have you ever dug a hole? What did you do with the soil from this hole? In fact, the hill of Jingshan Park is the mound of dirt dug from the moat of the Forbidden City. The park was the royal garden of the imperial family. Visit Coal Hill to learn about the tragic final days of the last Emperor of the Ming dynasty.

The park was lovely and peaceful. Visit in the autumn to see the glorious changes of foliage along the golden roof tiles. Come in the spring to see the blossoms and peonies take over the park. The park is just perfect in size for a nice little stroll. If you want to see the Forbidden City but are allergic to crowds, Jingshan Park is a perfect alternative.

Find it:
Jingshan Park
44 Jingshan Xijie, Jingshan, Xicheng District
西城区景山景山西街44号
Entrance Fee: RMB 2 for adults, RMB 1 for kids

If you are hungry for more Beijing experiences but craving Southeast Asian flavors like my grandparents, Susu, a Vietnamese restaurant, is a good compromise.

I recommend visiting Susu in one of the alleyways of the hutongs! My grandparents are visiting from Vietnam; they had recently been eating a lot of Chinese cuisine, so it would be kind to treat them with familiar flavors. The outside of Susu looked quite shabby and unimpressive. However, my grandparents were surprised that the restaurant interior was very modern and the courtyard very quaint and peaceful.

We really enjoyed eating the shaken beef with the salt and pepper dipping; the meat was so tender, and it melted! The papaya salad was tart and refreshing. My grandma ordered a stir-fried tofu, and she was very happy with this choice. For myself, I ordered bun bo, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup.

The food was very tasty, and the ambience of the courtyard was better. Eating in the courtyard was very peaceful, and it was a perfect place to take photos. It is very surprising how a restaurant can be so scenic.

And if you think your adventure is incomplete, the Llama Temple is just a ten-minute walk away from Susu.

Find it:
Susu·苏苏(四合院创始店)
10 Qianliang Hutong Xixiang, Dongcheng District (north side of Longfu Hospital, near 56 Qianliang Hutong)
东城区钱粮胡同西巷10号(隆福医院北侧,靠近钱粮胡同56号)

So, there’s another way to spend your weekend from Clark Yap! Have fun exploring!!! Stay tuned. And stay reading!

Want more family-friendly restaurant recommendations? Join the FamFriendlyEats WeChat group and get real recommendations from other families in Beijing. Add TBJButler on WeChat to request to join.

Images: Clark Yap

“Icy winds on your face are awesome!” said no parent with restless kids indoors ever. As the chill fades and the blossoms burst into bloom, it’s time to let loose your energy outdoors. Beijing’s parks are calling – whether it’s scaling obstacle courses, biking an 11km loop, or gliding around in a giant pink flamingo, there’s no shortage of ways to get active together. Truth be told, I’ve had my share of cop-outs where I encourage my daughter Leili to try something new while I “supervise” from the sidelines (aka backside on a bench plus doom-scrolling). But with her grandmother visiting, I wanted to make this April outdoors a family affair. So, pack the snacks, slap on the sunscreen, and let’s celebrate spring with these fun-filled adventures!

Treetop Thrills at Happy Gorilla

We kicked off our spring reboot by heading skyward. Suspended between tall trees, Happy Gorilla Tree-Top Adventure Park (快乐猩猩树上穿越主题公园) is a high ropes obstacle course tucked into the southwest corner of Chaoyang Park – a network of wobbly planks, cargo nets, swinging ropes, bridges, tunnels, and trapezes, all suspended in the air.

Happy Gorilla offers two difficulty levels, divided by height: under or over 140 cm. The junior course (starting from RMB 320) was perfect for our crew – Leili, Eva, and Enya, all age six. Harnessed in and helmeted up, they clambered onto the starting platform with big grins and a touch of nervous energy.

Despite a few shaky steps on the swingiest bits, the girls tackled it all with surprising aplomb – no meltdowns, no fear of heights, just giggling, pink-cheeked determination. The course ended with a mini rock wall and a breezy zipline to land back on terra firma. It took just over an hour, and while the area was lively with other families, we didn’t have to queue. For a dose of fresh air and adrenaline, this one’s a must-try.

Find it:
Happy Gorilla at Chaoyang Park
200m inside the No.7 East Gate of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
朝阳区,朝阳公园东7号门内200米
Subway Line 14: Chaoyang Park
Open daily from 9am-6pm

Biking the Olympic Greens at Olympic Forest Park

The next stop is Beijing’s green lung! Designed by Tsinghua University’s Urban Planning and Design Institute as a “back garden” to the 2008 Summer Games, Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园) is the largest public green space in Beijing. Its whopping 680 hectares are split into north and south zones, linked by an “Ecological Corridor” – a bridge that cleverly spans the Fifth Ring Road.

Both zones are havens for running clubs, picnicking families, romping kids, and young cyclists. While adult bicycles are unfortunately prohibited, children’s bikes are welcome, making for an amusing dynamic of kids pedaling ahead while parents jog to keep up.

This imbalance is offset by the joy of the ride: 11km and 7.5km loops, respectively, in the north and south gardens. We entered via the park’s north gate and ended at the south gate, weaving through sections of both loops and stopping to see wetlands, scoop up blossoms from the ground, and savor an ice cream.

On a recent Saturday, the park was teeming with sports teams, vendors, dogs, strollers, and tents. After crossing the Corridor, we turned left to follow the western edge of the south loop along a near-empty stretch hugging a tranquil tree-lined canal. The route encircles Yangshan Hill (仰山) and winds down to the southern tip of Aohai Lake (奥海) (where crowds reappeared). The incline is mostly flat, making it accessible for those new to riding – we even saw younger kids on balance bikes. For a springtime ride, the highlight is catching glimpses of the iconic Olympic Tower through a flurry of pink and white blooms.

Find it:
Olympic Forest Park South Gate
33 Kehui Road, Chaoyang, Beijing
Subway Line 8, Senlin Gongyuan Nanmen (森林公园南门) station
Open daily from 6.30am-10pm

Captaining a Flamingo Boat at Aohai Lake 

We returned to Olympic Park on a quiet Tuesday with friends – this time, Laura joined Leili to co-captain a flamingo-pink boat across the glassy waters of South Garden’s Aohai Lake. Technically, this outing isn’t quite “active,” since the boats are electric rather than pedal- or oar-powered, but it’s the perfect cooldown after a bike ride: a chance to rest tired legs and take in the lakeside scenery.

A boat for six costs RMB 240 for unlimited usage time. Our captains took their mission seriously, taking turns navigating past ducks taking flight and steering clear of collisions with other boaters. The gentle pace, the fresh breeze, the Olympic Tower gleaming in the sun, and blooms ringing the lake all made for a meditative ride to soak in spring vibes.

Find it:
Olympic Forest Park South Gate
33 Kehui Road, Chaoyang District
Subway Line 8, Senlin Gongyuan Nanmen (森林公园南门) station
Open daily from 6.30am-10pm

Want more ideas for getting active outdoors this spring? Stay tuned for where to go for hikes, camping, fishing, and tree-planting excursions both inside and outside the city – coming soon!

Join Tara Fegelein and her family as she explores family-friendly destinations in and around Beijing. Click on the #Kidventures hashtag below to check out her full list of recommendations.

Images: Tara Fegelein

When the sun goes out, the light festival goers come out to play!

Longtan Park’s festival of lights is back at it again. With more than 17 light installation sculptures spread around the park, they’ve created an enchanting forest of lights for families with plenty of interactive light installations for kids like the training mushrooms, waves, a giant screen where kids get to jump like monkeys and make new friends with other kids, and even a field of sound activated lights.

Your ticket also covers all the small performances throughout the park. There are acrobats and clowns performing on a nightly basis that are great for kids.

Pro Tip: Check the performance schedule as soon as you arrive so you don’t miss out on any of the shows.

They’ve even added a water-splashing section for kids to cool off. Bring your own water guns and change of clothes when you go. You’re bound to get soaked from head to toe.

Walk by the firefly field installation or dress up in all blue and take photos with the Avatar-inspired tree. When there’s a cool breeze out at night, it’s a great place to take the kids for some fun before bedtime.

Price: 
RMB 98 for 1 adult + 1 child (RMB 79.9 discount tickets available on Douyin)
RMB 68 per adult (RMB 49.9 discount tickets available on Douyin)

Pro tip: Don’t forget your mosquito repellent!!!

Find it: 
16 Longtan Lu, Dongcheng District
东城区龙潭路16号
Tel: 6711 5579

Images: Uni You

Photography has become a huge part of our life. With social media people are taking more and more pictures. If you have run out of places to go to, here’s a list!

Red Brick Art Museum

This place is perfect during autumn. With red and orange leaves surrounding the outside it gives a captivating environment. Red bricks surround the outside, while inside is a museum.

Find it:
Cuigezhuangxiang, Hegezhuangcun, Shunbai Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村马泉营
8457 6669

The Hutongs

If you prefer taking pictures at an older and more traditional place, here you will find what you need. From vintage shops, to local delicacies, they have it all.

Find it:
South Luogu Lane Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区前圆恩寺胡同 28号

Galaxy SOHO

This building is a perfect fit for a more modern take on Beijing. Even though there are many older landmarks here, it also has very developed ones. With the interior it will feel as if you are entering a dystopian movie. It is also a great hangout place with many shops and restaurants available nearby.

Find it:
2 Nanzhugan Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区南竹竿胡同2号银河

798 Art Zone

This is a more artistic part of Beijing. Streets here are filled with artwork painted on walls, from graffiti to drawings. Many statues decorate the surroundings, making it the perfect place for photography. For art lovers museums with every kind of painting can be explored. There are a variety of cute cafes, restaurants, and vintage shops. People can even visit pet cafes, with many different animals to be seen.

Find it:
2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥4号798
Tel: 5978 9114

Art Shopping Centre

This is a perfect place to go shopping and to take pictures. The architecture will have you mind-blown. It’s a great place to buy home decor and furniture, too.

Find it:
Chaoyangmen Outer Street No.99, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳门外大街99号1-2层

The Orchard

For people who love nature, this is the place to go. A mesmerizing park with a bridge like the one in a Monet painting is what you will see. It is a great place for afternoon walks. If you get hungry, restaurants are available too.

Find it:
Cuigezhuangxiang Hegezhuangcun, Inside Beikou Guo Park, Chaoyang District
朝阳区何各庄
Tel: 6433 6270

Beijing International Flower Port

A perfect way to spend your summer is to go to a flower park! Here you will find every flower color you can think of. It’s great for taking pictures to post.

Find it:
Yangzhen No.9, Xianhuagang South Road (Baima Road North Side) Beijing International Flower Gangnei, Shunyi District
顺义区园区南路

Luo Hong Art Museum

This is a very popular place. Hundreds of people come here during the weekend to see this splendid atmosphere. Inside, there is a museum with photography. If you’re hungry,  a café and restaurant are available.

Find it:
Yanglin Toll Gate, Zhulin Road, Tianzhu, Shunyi District
顺义区开发街6号

Images: Zhirong Liu, Canva

Over the weekend our sister publication, the Beijinger, published an article titled Everything You Need to Know About Chaoyang Park. It was a good start, but as someone who’s gotten lost in Chaoyang Park on more than one occasion, we thought we could expand some more to truly explore this sprawling green space, especially as the weather finally becomes warm again! Urban nature lovers, dust off your wagons and get ready for park season at one of Beijing’s most iconic springtime leisure spots!

The practical stuff

Name: Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园 Zhāoyáng gōngyuán
Address: 1 Nongzhan South Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南路1号
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm, last entry 8pm
Price: Free
Amenities: Restrooms, snack stalls, vending machines, easy subway access
Known for: 5km running track, public football pitches and ping pong tables, amusement park, multiple lakes, boating, open-air stage, lots of usable grass

What’s not allowed

Before you pack your wagon full of stuff to entertain the family for the day, Chaoyang Park does have a list of banned items.

• Kites
• Bikes (though I’ve seen some kids sneak smaller ones in)
• Tents for camping (blankets are allowed, but tents that zip up are not)
• Drones
• Electric scooters
• Hoverboards

What you can do there

Glamping – What’s glamping you ask? Glamor + camping! It’s essentially camping in a really, really nice tent. So while you’re not allowed to bring your own tent into the park, there is a beautiful section towards its east side where you can book a glamping site.

Moncy Club – This place looks awesome! It’s located on the park’s west side and does require a separate entry fee of about RMB 320. However, inside Moncy there are plenty of climbing walls, suspension bridges, and zip lines. They also have a laser tag arena that’s open to kids and adults. If you’ve got a big group, you can book the entire place out for RMB 150/person for two and a half hours. If you want to join an existing game, the price is RMB 160 for two hours.

Sports courts – I’ve seen basketball, soccer, and tennis courts close to the east side of the park. Plenty of camps for both grown-ups and kids run their programs out of Chaoyang Park. If you’re looking for a sport for your kid, a quick stroll around the park will give you plenty of ideas.

Workout areas – They have little monkey bars inside the park, but there’s a big area with open-air workout equipment and ping pong tables by the entrance of West Gate 4.

Water activities – There are at least two docks that rent out paddle boats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboats when the weather gets a bit warmer. One sits right around the corner from where the aerial adventure course is, across the bridge and to the left. The other is north, close to Solana Mall on the west side of the park. Both are operated by Whale Sports and offer a 30-minute canoeing experience starting from RMB 109 for one person, to RMB 199 for a three-seater canoe.

Jogging trails – Clearly marked jogging trails snake throughout the park, and on occasion, I’ve seen big jogging groups go by.

Bikes and electric carts – You can’t bring in your own bikes but you can rent a family bike and electric cart to explore the park. There’s probably a name for those four-seater pedal bikes but I don’t know it. The bikes are available in two, four, and four + a kid seat in the front. The electric carts can only fit two people and they go pretty slow – as well they should since the park gets packed with families. Prices start from RMB 80 per hour.

Amusement park – Don’t expect Universal Studios level rides. This is more akin to a local carnival. Individual ride tickets start from RMB 20 but an all-access pass might be a smarter move if you’ve got an, “I wanna try everything” kid like my colleague Vivienne Tseng-Rush. RMB 88 will buy you a ticket that allows you to choose six out of 18 ride categories. Aside from carnival-esque rides, the park also offers a Dinosaur City, an indoor playground for younger kids, and the Sony Science Center for inquiring minds.

KEEP READING: Another Free Playground Opens in Chaoyang, and Bikes Are Allowed!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Mina Yan, Dianping

Fancy doing some ice skating on the lake? Yes, it really is cold enough nowadays that the lakes in Beijing are frozen solid!

Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园

Chaoyang Park’s ice skating is open, but be warned: It’s insanely crowded during the weekends. Enter from Gate 4 on the west side of the park if you’re looking for the fastest route to the ice skating. The park itself is completely free for both adults and kids, but there is a fee of RMB 20 per person for skating.

If you have your own skates then just go on ahead onto the ice! If you need to rent skating equipment there’s a little booth right across from the entrance of the lake.

Aside from skating, there are also ice bikes and chairs that you can rent for some icy winter fun.

Pricing:
Entry: RMB 20 (unlimited time)
Ice Skates: RMB 30/hour
Ice Skating Chair: RMB 30/hour
Ice Cycling Bike: RMB 30/hour
Tandem Ice Cycling Bike: RMB 50/hour
Slide: RMB 10/each time

According to a security guard who works at Chaoyang Park, if you’re hoping to skate and avoid the crowd Mondays are the best days to visit.

The line for the slide on the weekend

There’s also a long ice slide by the entrance, so be sure to squeeze in some time for a quick thrill before heading home!

Shichahai Ice Rink 什刹海冰场

The lakes in Qianhai and Houhai are local favorites for winter ice skating. There are 160,000 square meters of frozen lake open daily from 9am to 7.50pm, just in time for the Qianhai Night Market to start from 5-9pm.

As with most outdoor ice skating rinks, this one also has options for ice bikes and chairs for whose who want to try something new.

Pricing:
RMB 60 on weekdays
RMB 80 on weekends and holidays
Ice Skates: RMB 30/pair

Images: Beijing Evening News, Mina Yan

Want to play in the snow again but definitely not praying for another snow day in Beijing? Me too! However, despite the odd blizzard here and there, just because it doesn’t really snow in Beijing doesn’t mean we’re deprived of all the snow day activities that make living in a place with four seasons so magical.

Located in Haidian District, on the west side of the city, is a huge park that’s been transformed into a snowy winter wonderland.

玉渊潭公园  yù yuān tán gōng yuán is open daily from 9am–5pm. Their snow season is expected to last until mid-February but the exact date depends on the weather conditions.

The park is an open snowy playground that’s perfect for tubing and running around in giant inflatable balls like a hamster. Simply put, they’ve got plenty of snow and plenty of open space. Like with most places in Beijing though, if you go on a weekend or holiday, you can expect some pretty sizable crowds. But, during the weekdays, the place is as good as exclusively yours!

Tickets to the park are RMB 40 per person, and there’s no snow gear rental on site so dress warmly. As for tubes, inflatable balls, and other snow day toys, those you can rent on site. The most popular – snow tubes – are RMB 100 per hour with an RMB 300 deposit. The rest of the toys are charged by the minute since, let’s face it, they’re mainly for photo ops anyway.

玉渊潭公园  yù yuān tán gōng yuán
No. 10 West Third Ring Middle Road, Haidian District
海淀区西三环中路10号

Images: Uni You

If 2020 were a subscription service, most of us would have hit the unsubscribe button a few months back. It feels as though all that could go wrong this year has gone wrong, including summer plans made months in advance. But all is not lost. You don’t have to bundle your family into a plane bound for another country or another exotic location to have fun, cos all the fun you need is right here in Beijing.

When was the last time you allowed yourself the heart-pounding thrill of riding on a rollercoaster or getting drenched as you fly through a water slide, without any regard for your phone or designer bag? You can make this summer the first to relive the joys of childhood in Beijing’s amusement parks. The Maldives might be out this year, but the pirate rides and rollercoasters are waiting for you to ride them. All you need to know is where to go to find them.

Happy Valley Amusement Park 北京欢乐谷

Address: Xiaowuji North Road, East 4th Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东四环小武基北路
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-10pm
Price: RMB 260/adult, RMB 160/child, RMB 180/night safari

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since you came to Beijing, you’ve heard of Happy Valley! Complete with over 40 rides – 10 of which are extreme rides, is one of the biggest amusement parks in Beijing. If you have ever been to Disneyland, you might feel a sense of deja vu and it’s no accident as it was designed to feel similar. If you’re one of the rare few who don’t like rides, then you can enjoy a day at the cinema at the seven-screen IMAX theater. And on your way out, you can grab a few funday trinkets at the shopping complex located on the grounds.

Chaoyang Park, Paradise of The Brave 勇敢者乐园

Address: 1 Chaoyang Park South Rd, Chaoyang District 朝阳区农展馆南路1号
Opening hours: Daily 6am-10pm (last entry at 9pm)
Price: RMB 70

Beijing is quite the sight to see in its full summer glory. Chaoyang Park, in particular, complete with its nature, walks, trees, and pools, is a particular delight for any family. At Paradise of the Brave, kids can enjoy playing in the tree canopy games, while the adults can indulge in a little grownup-size fun on the massive party bike with a bottle or can of your favorite drink.

Crab Island 蟹岛绿色生态度假村

Address: 1 Crab Island Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区1号蟹岛路
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Price: RMB 78

If you’re looking for a hotel holiday experience within the city, then Crab Island Carnival might be it. Complete with hotels and conference centers, this amusement park also has a water park, horse-riding club, go-carting facility, and farm. Depending on whether you are jelly-jointed or have nerves of steel, there are corresponding rides for your level of courage. You can choose to buy an all-inclusive ticket, which allows you access to ten out of twelve possible rides or can choose to purchase tickets at every individual ride, which might work out as more expensive. It’s is a smaller park, so more manageable when trying to keep track of the entire family if everyone decides to do their own thing.

Green Island Paradise 绿岛乐园

Address: South Section of Songliang Road, Tongzhou District 通州区通州大运河森林旅游区
Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Price: RMB 180

So maybe your French Riviera trip will have to be shelved until further notice, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without the Riviera experience entirely. Beijing’s own Grand Canal Park which itself is a UNESCO heritage site with beautiful wetlands makes for a beautiful picnic, cheese, and wine by the river location, and if you feel adventurous, the entire family can head over to the Green Island Paradise amusement park and enjoy a wide array of rides.

Beijing World Park 北京世界公园

Address: 158 Fengbao Road, Fengtai District 丰台区花乡丰葆路158号
Opening hours: Daily 8am-4.30pm
Price: RMB 100

A simple and cheaper solution to a world tour this year might be a visit to this park, but if you’re looking for thrills and excitement, maybe try another place. Beijing World Park attempts to give visitors a taste of all the world’s most iconic sites and monuments without leaving Beijing. All the monuments are made to a smaller scale, with everything from the Statue of Liberty to the Taj Mahal, and one would suspect a model of the original Notre Dame. The park is large, over 46.7 hectares, and perfect for strolls with the family. And once you have had your fill of the world’s monuments, you can indulge in a bit of shopping at the shopping, entertainment and dining section of the park.

Beijing Nanhaizi Elk Museum 南海子麋鹿苑博物馆

Address: Luyuan Road, Sanhaizi, Quan Country, Daxing District 大兴区旧宫镇旧忠路
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am-4pm
Price: Free

Getting out of the stifling heat in the city should be a priority this summer. Beijing’s Nanhaizi Elk Museum to the south of the city offers a great chance to escape the heat and the concrete jungle, to see the rare 坡쨔 mílù or Père David’s deer, a Chinese antlered deer that narrowly escaped extinction and disappeared from the Chinese mainland for almost a century. The reserve is also home to numerous types of wetland birds, peacocks, and even mustangs.

KEEP READING: Exploring Shunyi’s New Dongjiao Wetland Park

Photos: Unsplash

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 June issue