“Where are you going for Golden Week?” used to hold a feeling of adventure, fun, and family time. Like most things in 2020, this year is sure to be different, but how do you want to spend your time? Since Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of friends and families — and mooncakes — we put together quite a few choices for taking a stay-cation. For as much as we appreciate the comforts and safety of our homes after this year, getting away for a day or two will make home all the more satisfying when we return. 

You can be as active or relaxed as you like at Jinhai Lake.

Jinhai Lake 

With lots of resorts close to the lake where your family can stay, they have water sports, hiking trails, and just a beautiful place to breathe some fresh air. This time of year, the paths are framed by autumn colors in red, orange, and light greens, perfect for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Located in the Pinghu District, nearby attractions include the Jingdong Large Cave, Zhushui Leisure Park, Jizhou Cave, and Baiyun Temple. 

Address: Pinggu District, China (北京市平谷区)

Spend your time surrounded by sculptures at every turn.

Hotel Eclat at Parkview Green

Hotel Eclat Beijing at Parkview Green Mall is called a “Design Hotel” for good reason. Each suite proves itself an experience in modern art, with a range of amenities you can enjoy and upgrade: rainforest bath and showers, Panasonic massage chairs, complimentary mini-bar, sky terrace for beautiful evening views of Beijing, Some much pricier suites are privately themed with your own private “dragon” lagoon and jacuzzi all the way to feeling “Presidential,” which apparently means you need a classic gold harp as the centerpiece? Depending on your price range, Hotel Eclat will definitely feel like a getaway even if it’s mere blocks from your home.

Address: 9 Dongdaqiao Rd, Chaoyang, 北京市朝阳区东大桥路9号
Ph: 8561 2888
Website: www.eclathotels.com/beijing

A beautiful way to chill out in China.

Nirvana Resort Beijing

The Nirvana Resort Beijing at first offers a simple, sparse, yet elegant selection of rooms. Then you realize you’re surrounded by museums, well-reviewed restaurants, and an assortment of “happy places” for your children to play. There’s golf, games, swimming, tennis, billiards, but perhaps most importantly, there is peace and quiet when you need it. All the views truly contributed to naming this resort. Every member of the family will find their own little Nirvana here.

Address: 28 Daoxianghulu station, Sujiatuoxiang, Haidian District 海淀区苏家坨乡稻香湖路站28号
Ph: 5871 8888
Website: www.daoxianghujing.com

Stay close to Beijing but feel far enough away to chill.

Hotel Jen

If you want the luxury without nature or travel, Beijing’s very own Hotel Jen has their Amazing Fun offer every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for only RMB 600/night. You get access to all the fitness amenities, credit towards Chi The Spa, and other Gold Member shopping discounts in the China World Mall and Shangri-La Hotel, the Kerry Hotel, two tickets to Le Cool Ice Rink, select complimentary beverages in your room, and a second bed at no extra cost for the kids.

Address: 1 Jianguomen Outer St, Jian Wai Da Jie, Chaoyang, 朝阳区建外大街建国门外大街1号
Ph: 6505 2277
Website: www.hoteljen.com/beijing/centraldistrict/offers/details/stay/amazing-fun/

Beihai Park alone has activities that could fill an entire day.

Nostalgia Hotel – Beijing

For a simpler staycation, book your family a room at the Nostalgia Hotel in Beijing’s Xidan District. You get a cute retro room, dining areas, bookshelves, tabletop game room, and access to nearly all the hot spots among Beijing’s landmarks. Just a few minutes from the Xisi Subway Station, staying here also gives your family the perfect opportunity to walk for all your sightseeing, including The Geological Museum of China, Beihai Park, The Forbidden City, and more. Allow yourselves to get lost looking for a place to eat, and discover someplace new.

Address: No.46, Fangjia Hutong, Beijing, 中国北京方家胡同46号, 100007
Ph: 6403 2288
Website: www.nostalgiahotelbeijing.com/cn/contact_us/

With so much to do, families of all ages can keep busy, or just relax/

Haituo Valley International Tourist Resort, 海拖山谷

Want to feel like you went to Switzerland? It’s the perfect time to visit the Haituo Valley International Tourist Resort in the Yanqing District. Located 130 kilometers away on the east side of Haituo Mountain Camping Holy Land, this is the place to lose yourself in skiing and other outdoor adventures.

Address: Haituo Mountain, 延庆区张山营镇北部
Website: https://www.trip.com/travel-guide/beijing/haituo-mountain-90950/

Bring your favorite fairy tales. They’ll want to read them all while you’re here!

Yunfeng Mountain Fairy Tale Tree House

Maybe you want to spend more time at The Great Wall, at Mutianyu and not feel constrained by a shuttle departure schedule or how long you booked your guide. Maybe you want to feel transported and get your kids back into a bit of the fantastical side of life for a few days. In that case, Yunfeng Mountain Fairy Tale Tree House could serve all your needs! Around 120 kilometers outside the city, you have all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay — with little distraction to give the kids all the time they need for a real feel of the majesty surrounding them in Beijing.

Yunfeng Fairy Tale Tree House
Address: Yaluo Village, Bulaotun Town, Miyun District, 密云区不老屯镇亚罗村
Ph: 010 8109 8688
Website: http://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/a1/a-XCAY4W1D7F3824D470C8A4

KEEP READING: Golden Week at Home: Day Trips You Always Wanted to Try but Never Had Time For 

Photos: Uni Young, Pexels, Canva, Cindy Marie Jenkins

For International Children’s Day, Songtsam will organize a special children’s baseball event at the Olympic Forest North Park in Beijing. Under the guidance of professional baseball coaches from Dreamcatcher Softball Club (捕梦者), the Songstam team are inviting you and your children for a fun family day out where you will learn the fundamentals of the bat-and-ball game.

Here are eight reasons why you and your kids should sign up for their FREE family baseball event:

•       Exercise
•       Improve focus and attention
•       Build confidence and patience
•       Make new friends
•       Learn how to work within a team
•       Learn the value of good sportsmanship
•       Learn about respecting authority
•       Outdoor fun!

In addition to all of the above, it’s also a chance for parents to learn about Songtsam. Did you know that they organize a variety of unique and inspiring family trips and summer camps across Yunnan and Tibet? They are also giving families who signup the chance to save 10% on any Songtsam family trip or upcoming summer camp that is booked directly with them after the event! Email reservations@songtsam.com today to sign up! Spaces are limited to 16 families in total.

The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort is announcing its Fun on Weekdays package. The Fun on Weekdays package offers guests who stay one night in any suite or villa the following night complimentary in addition to complimentary breakfast for two (only weekdays). The package is available for booking beginning now through June 30, 2012. Blackout dates and terms and conditions apply.