Listening to Christmas carols might still elicit warm fuzzy feelings of home and the urge to make mulled wine for a lot of us #LoudAndProudSuckersForChristmas, but not everybody looks forward to flying for 20 hours to get home just to mush around in tepid gray or non-existent snow. There are plenty for whom the winter holidays are simply a great excuse to go traveling, and it’s for these folks that we’ve rounded up a few destinations with reasonable ticket prices that are sure to make your holiday season jolly.

Tokyo, Japan

When? Dec 23/24/25-Jan 2/3
How much? RMB 2,400-3,400
With who? Japan Airlines, ANA

Tokyo might not be the first place you’d equate as the Christmas Town of Tim Burton’s fantasies, but the Japanese sure get into the holiday spirit. Proof: the unending holiday lights around Tokyo Station, Roppongi, or Odaiba. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, wish to partake in Japan’s traditional KFC Christmas dinner, or go on a shopping spree for the country’s infamously quirky goods – ’tis your time to shine in Tokyo!

Read more ideas on where to go, eat, and do in the East Capital here.

Singapore

When? Dec 22-Jan 1/2
How much? RMB 2,100-3,500
With who? Air China, Singapore Airlines

Like a lot of other capital cities, Singapore is all about food, food, and food – perfect to satisfy the unbridled consumption that the holiday season beckons for. And what better way to get your fill than to saunter down to the balmy climes of Singapore, where Indian, Malaysian, and Chinese cuisines melt together for a truly delicious gustatory experience.

Check out our guide to the best eats in Singapore here.

Taipei, Taiwan 

When? Dec 24-Jan 3
How much? RMB 1,700-2,400 
With who? Eva Air, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific

Also a foodie haven in its own right, Taipei has rolled out some great flight deals this Christmas season. If it’s not food you’re after, the city also boasts some great hiking options. After all, it’s all about balance!

Scavenge for Taipei travel tips here.

Bangkok, Thailand

When? Dec 24-Jan 3
How much? Approx. RMB 2,500
With who? Thai Airways, China Eastern

As the hub of Southeast Asia, and the start or the end of many journeys, Bangkok is nothing less than overwhelming. A city buzzing with food and nightlife, as well as temples galore, and even beaches further afield, one of the great things about Bangkok is that you can pretty much just pitch up and wing it.

Read our guide to the vibrant sights of Bangkok here.

Vientiane, Laos

When? Dec 24/27-Jan 1/2
How much? RMB 2,300-2,450
With who? China Eastern Airlines

Did we hear “affordable spas”? The relaxed riverside capital of Vientiane in Laos is a place full of legends and history set among tree-lined alleys and a touch of French architecture. Best yet – and this is a big plus for Beijingers – Vientiane is a beautiful city to explore by foot.

Los Angeles, USA

When? Dec 24-Jan 2
How much? RMB 3,588-3,961 (direct)
With who? American Airlines, Air China

Fancy getting out of Asia entirely? Free up an extra thousand in Maos and head to LA instead, the home of bright lights, movies, picture-pretty passersby, and gigantic burgers. Be warned, however, that you might get talent-scouted while strolling down Hollywood Boulevard and leave your Beijing life behind forever.

Not what you’re looking for? Check out all our handy travel guides, right here.

More by this author here.
Email: tautviledaugelaite@thebeijinger.com

Images: Bustle, Truly Tokyo, Wikimedia Commons, Arcadis, World Wanderista, Asia Exchange

There has been a tremendous response for our upcoming Halloween costume party at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) this coming weekend. In fact, so much so that we’ve almost sold out for both of our afternoon sessions on Saturday (Oct 27) and Sunday (Oct 28) so act quick before it’s too late. But don’t worry, if you still need tickets we have plenty of space for both Saturday and Sunday morning.

We couldn’t think of a better way to spend a morning than dressing you and your kids up and going straight over to CISB for a little haunted Halloween fun, and this event is sure to be a bigger and creepier than ever before.

We have plenty going on throughout this weekend-long party to keep things terrifyingly fun, starting with our massive haunted house. It will be the biggest and most age-appropriately terrifying haunted house in the city. With prizes from our treasure hunt, Halloween themed games, and other fun and scary things lurking around every corner, you’ll love how we transform CISB to completely embody the ghoulish characteristics of this hallowed holiday.

This year we will also be collaborating with an army of dinosaurs to keep things lively. 10 breakdancing tyrannosaurus rex dinosaurs will be doing the “Monster Mash” and taking the party to uncharted jurassic territories. They are a fun bunch, and we’re pretty sure that they have been genetically modified to only eat pizza and candy, so everyone at the party will be safe.

Need more info about the party or wish to purchase tickets (RMB 150 adults, RMB 250 kids)? Extract the QR code above to reserve your spot for the two Saturday and Sunday morning (9.30-11.30am)/afternoon sessions (2-4pm) on each day (Oct 28-29). We hope you are ready for this action packed weekend of screams and Halloween themed fun!

Photos: Uni You

In two shakes of a lamb’s tail, April will finally be upon us, which means the first ever family-friendly ball, Fundancia, takes center stage. The even better news is that we’re giving away 4 tickets worth RMB 4,000 (each ticket is good for one adult and one child) to go eat, mingle, and boogie. Here’s how to get your hands on a free ticket:

1. In the top right corner select the Share on Moments option (note: you must be viewing this article through WeChat).

2. Write "Let’s Dance" then take a screenshot of your Moments.

3. Send that screenshot image to the beijingkids Official Account along with your name and contact number; scan the QR code below for easy access to our Official Account.

We’ll contact the winners of our ticket giveaway on Tuesday, April 5. 

The event is going to be held at the Kerry Hotel Grand Ballroom on April 16 and promises to be barrels of fun for the whole family including the ayi. The festivities begin at 5pm, with mocktails, cocktails, and canapés served as guests are greeted by stilt walkers, jugglers, magicians, and more. With the kids properly distracted – they’ll be enjoying a buffet dinner – the adults will be seated for an scrumptious three-course meal. The feasting will coincide with a feast for the eyes, as spectacular performances by the renowned Chaoyang Theatre troupe and BSB Sanlitun’s choir and instrumentalists ensue. Afterwards, children and parents are invited to dance the night away (or at least until it’s bedtime for the little ones) to hip tunes by DJ Kitchen.

The event, organized by the International Diplomatic Network (iD Beijing) and the British School of Beijing, Sanlitun, is sure to be one of biggest family-friendly events of the year. And although it’s too late to pay the early bird price (RMB 100 cheaper); one shouldn’t fret, because the proceeds go toward a worthy and charitable cause: finalizing a construction project in benefit of The Migrant Children’s Foundation.

Tickets are currently RMB 1,000 (good for one adult and one child); additional children or an accompanying ayi’s tickets are RMB 200 each. Tickets can be paid for in cash at the reception desk of The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun during school days between 9am and 3pm. The address is 5 Xiliujie, Sanlitun Road, Beijing (三里屯路西六街5号北京英国学校).

For more information, email fundancia@idiplomatic.net or click here.

Photo: The Chaoyang Theatre

The 2016 Bookworm Literary Festival, now in it’s tenth year, brings an impressive list of authors from around the world to take part in talks, panel discussions, and workshops from March 11-27. There are specific family friendly events scheduled and tickets are now available to buy here. This year’s sponsors, the International School of Beijing, Yew Chung International School Beijing, Dulwich College Beijing, and others will host events. Here’s the full list of the kids events and the workshops to keep an eye out for:

Children’s Events
Sun, Mar 13
This Writer’s Life by Jane Godwin
Ages 7-12. Jane Godwin talks about her life as a writer for children and young people. She explores inspiration and generating ideas; the writing process itself with its many challenges, mysteries, and rewards; collaborating with illustrators; and being published. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Mon, Mar 14
Reading Lewis Carroll is Prohibited by Diego Arboleda
Ages 9-12. Diego Arboleda is a Spanish author who won multiple awards for his 2014 book Prohibido leer a Lewis Carroll – Reading Lewis Carroll is Prohibited. This children’s event will be a tribute to Lewis Carroll and his timeless masterpiece, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which celebrated its 150th birthday just last year. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Tue, Mar 15
Maori Legends of New Zealand by David Hill
Ages 9-14.David Hill will tell the Maori legend of how the hero Maui fished part of New Zealand up from the sea – which explains the country’s present shape – and read some of his stories. Combining mythology and geography, this session will introduce listeners to a part of the world full of magic and wonder. Hill has been writing full time since 1983, and his books have been translated into French, German, Danish, Dutch, Chinese, Slovenian, Japanese, and Korean. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Thu, Mar 17
Spoken-Word Performance with Philip Wilcox
Ages 7+. 2015 Australian Poetry Slam national champion Philip Wilcox mixes poetry, stories, anecdotes, and jokes in this full-length performance. To enter ISB, you must have a print-out of your reservation. Free. 7.30-8.30pm.International School of Beijing (6503-2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Sat, Mar 19
In Conversation with Xinran moderated by Joe McKee
Ages 10+. Xue Xinran, who writes under the pen name Xinran, is a British-Chinese journalist, author, and advocate of women’s issues. She will talk about her books – including international bestseller The Good Women of China and her latest, Buy Me the Sky, about China’s one-child generation – and her other work, past and present. Moderated by Joe McKee, Dulwich College Beijing Academic Director. Registration required. Free. 7-9pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Mon, Mar 21
Around the World in 70 Minutes by Frané Lessac
Ages 8+. Go on a book safari and travel to the islands of the Caribbean, the deserts of the Sahara, and the jungles of the Amazon with author and illustrator Frané Lessac, who will give you ideas to help develop, plan, and design your own book inspired by the wonders of the world. Children will commence working on their own individual books. RMB 60. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Tue, Mar 22
Writing Workshop: Strange Objects by Mark Greenwood
Ages 6-12. Become excited and intrigued by objects and curiosities. Make your own strange-objects book. Discover how they connect us with history and how strange objects can inspire creative writing. The famed children’s writer Mark Greenwood, who has twice received the West Australian Premier’s Award and the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, will lead this workshop, which also includes an illustration component. Greenwood’s books have been published internationally, examining myths and legends and promoting multiculturalism. RMB 60. 10.30am-noon. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Thur, Mar 24
Dinosaurs, Meerkats, and Other Talking Animals by Ian Whybrow
Ages 6-10. Ian Whybrow, one of the UK’s favorite children’s authors, talks about how animals have influenced many of the 100-plus books he has written, including Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs – which was adapted into a 104-episode animated series – and Meerkat Madness, the first in his Awesome Animals series. RMB 60. 10.30am-11.30am. The Bookworm (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Workshops
Sun, Mar 20
The Writer Within by Ofir Touché Gafla
Ages 12+. Award-winning author and creative writing instructor Ofir Touché Gafla leads this workshop that examines the creative process and provides tips for taking your writing to the next level. Touche will discuss the myriad advantages of fiction writing, how to approach the daunting task of translating an idea into a full-blown story, the marriage of content and structure, developing one’s voice, and looking for the writer within through getting acquainted with one’s profound subtext. RMB 200. Noon-1.30pm. The Opposite House.(6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Thur, Mar 24
Nonfiction Writing by Edward Platt
For teens and adults. Award-winning nonfiction writer Edward Platt will introduce key literary techniques in creative nonfiction and discuss how to structure an appealing concept in the genre. He will look at common problems faced by writers in the research and writing process, and offer advice on how to approach agents and publishers with an idea. Platt will begin by introducing his books, how he came to write them and the form they take, before moving on to group writing exercises (e.g., autobiographical writing, character invention, scene-setting, etc.). 7.30-8.30pm. RMB 200. iQiyi (6503 2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Sat, Mar 26
Cartoon Creation from Concept to Finish by Larry Feign
For teens and adults. From comic strips to graphic novels to animation, here’s a workshop for all ages, from child to adult, and any level of drawing experience, from none whatsoever to advanced. Learn the process of cartoon creation from a master of the genre, the very funny and award-winning Larry Feign, who has published fifteen books and whose works have appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, The Economist, Fortune, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Der Spiegel, and Pravda. Note: this will be a “digital” drawing workshop… meaning FINGERS, not electronics. Drawing materials – 1) black pencil (2B hardness recommended), 2) light blue pencil, 3) eraser / rubber, 4) white paper – will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if they would like. RMB 200. 2-3.30pm. The Opposite House (6503-2050, info@chinabookworm.com)

Descriptions courtesy of The Bookworm.

Photo: The Bookworm

Photo by Mitchell.