How to Plan a Family Trip to China

There's nothing more fun than a memorable family vacation but arranging a family trip to China is definitely a high requirement. How to make your family travel to China more easy and fun? This article introduces tips for traveling to China with kids, including recommended destinations, interesting activities, top itineraries, and other tips.

Why Visit China with Children

Traveling to China with children is definitely an amazing experience.

China is home to some world-class historical sites, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. You and your child will have rich cultural and historical experiences. In addition, there are amazing natural landscapes such as the Karst mountains in Guilin, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the Jiuzhaigou Valley with emerald lakes, waterfalls and colorful forests. From theme parks and museums to outdoor adventures and wildlife encounters, China offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities. There is fun for everyone.

The completed tourism facilities, such as transportation, accommodation, and catering services, make your family travel to China more convenient.

How Long to Stay in China with Kids

7-14 Days are the recommended duration of stay for traveling to China with kids.

A rare family trip to China, so why not stay a little longer? Traveling for more than 10 days will give you and your family plenty of time to explore China's rich culture and natural landscapes in greater depth. For families with children, how long to stay needs to consider the children's physical strength and energy. Longer travel days can make your China family trip less rushed and give the child enough time to rest.

A China family travel itinerary of 12-14 days can cover several representative cities in China and allow family members to interact and bond with each other. While exploring Chinese culture and natural scenery, arrange some interesting activities to keep children excited and curious.

If your time is limited, you can embark on a classic family travel to China with kids. Most first-time travelers to China will choose to travel to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. This will also take at least 7-8 days. You can focus on these key cities and their top attractions.

If you have a longer family vacation, two weeks or more allows families to stay longer in locations of interest or explore some off-the-beaten-path attractions. Abundant time is perfect for experiencing local culture and life in depth and diving into China's diversity.

Where to Travel to China with Kids

Here are some best places to visit in China with family for your reference.

1. Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is a must-visited city. Historical sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace can give children a taste of Chinese history and culture. Rich cuisine and traditional cultural activities make your Chinese family journey more interesting. Visit local families in Beijing Hutong and capture family moments with your camera.

2. Xi'an

Xi'an is a city full of history and suitable for families. You can visit the Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, ancient Xi'an City Wall and other landmarks. Experience the charm of ancient China up close and listen to mysterious historical stories. Cycling on the Xi'an City Wall is an activity both for children and adults.

3. Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern international metropolis that combines the old and the new. Shopping paradise, Nanjing Road allows families to enjoy shopping. Yu Garden, the Bund, Shanghai Disneyland Park, Shanghai Museum and other attractions meet the tourism needs of different ages.

4. Chengdu

Surely no one can refuse the lovely giant panda? As the home of the panda, Chengdu has several famous panda bases. Immerse yourself in the time of strolling along ancient streets and alleys with your family, and savor the leisurely slow life. Enjoy delicious food and drink at a hot pot restaurant or tea house.

5. Guilin

Guilin is known for its beautiful landscapes and has become an ideal place for family trips. Guilin's stunning natural scenery gives you a fun and relaxing family holiday. The Li River cruise, the bamboo raft on the Yulong River, and a visit to Elephant Trunk Hill will bring the whole family close to nature.

6. Hong Kong

Children can enjoy happy times at theme parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. Enjoy the beauty of Hong Kong and Hong Kong skyline with the whole family at top attractions, such as Victoria Harbour, Victoria Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, etc.

Kid Friendly Activities in China

Why not add more fun to your China family trip? Let's take a look at interesting things to do in China with kids.

1. Be a Panda Keeper

Want to get closer to pandas? Travel to Sichuan to participate in a panda volunteer program. You can clean the pandas' habitat and prepare food for the pandas. Observe their health and behavior and explore panda bases. Your efforts will make an important contribution to the growth and protection of giant pandas.

2. Take a Chinese Kung Fu Class

Want to be like Po in Kung Fu Panda? Children can learn authentic Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple. Our classic Chinese family tours also include simple Tai Chi classes, such as doing Tai Chi with locals at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and on a Yangtze River cruise.

3. Have Fun at Theme Parks

Disneyland is a great place for families to play. There are two Disneyland resorts in China, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. Children can interact closely with classic cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and experience the wonder of the fairy tale world. Disneyland offers rides for all ages.

4. Taste and Cook Chinese Culinary Delights

Tasting and preparing authentic Chinese food is a great way to experience Chinese culture deeply. From Beijing Roast Duck to Sichuan hot pot, from dumplings to local snacks, you can always find Chinese food that suits your taste. By the way, when visiting a local family, you can also learn how to make dumplings with your child.

5. Watch Amazing Acrobatic Shows

The Chinese acrobatic show is suitable for the whole family. It will be a mind-blowing visual feast. You will witness actors tumbling, spinning, and maintaining balance at high altitudes. Marvel at the incredible skill, strength and beauty of the dance.

6. Bike through Yangshuo Countryside

Along the scenic bike paths, you can enjoy an idyllic world and unspoiled countryside. The beautiful scenery of Yulong River and the unique karst topography of Moon Hill are particularly attractive. Talk to local farmers and learn about real Chinese village life.

Click and read more about 13 Top Things to Do in China with Kids.

Best Time for Family Travel to China

The best times to visit China are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These two seasons have a comfortable climate and beautiful nature. However, they also basically cover the peak season of Chinese tourism, which also means that you will face more crowds and higher prices.

For families with children, there is often a need to consider the child's vacation. You can decide on a relatively suitable time based on your children's school schedule. Fortunately, if organized properly, you can have a nice family trip to China all year round. Needless to say, you can visit most of the popular destinations in the spring and fall. In summer, you can visit some summer resorts in mountainous areas, forests, or near lakes, and more. For example, you can travel to Qinghai Lake, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Changbai Mountain, Yunnan, etc. The snowy scene in the north and warm in the south are also attractive in winter.

China's summer vacation is usually in July-August, which is also a peak travel season with larger crowds and rising prices. June would be more suitable because it's not that hot yet and Chinese students don't have any holidays. Although summer in China can be very hot, it can be solved. For example, you can combine indoor and outdoor activities to avoid the summer heat. Private air-conditioned car pick-up and drop-off will make you more comfortable.

Relatively speaking, winter is a low season. You can enjoy better value for money and quieter tourist attractions. Nevertheless, you still need to overcome some difficulties, such as cold and dry weather, icy roads, canceled attractions and events due to bad weather.

Top 3 Itineraries for a Family Trip to China

Here are three of our handpicked itineraries for a family vacation to China. Our itineraries take into account the ages and interests of different family members. If you have more ideas, please contact our travel consultant and personalize your itinerary.

1. 12-Day China Family Trip From Beijing to Hong Kong

2. 14-Day China Family Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

3. 14-Day Best China Family Itinerary

Accommodation Tips for a Family Trip to China

We recommend that you choose international or domestic well-known brands and chain hotels with perfect facilities and guaranteed service. Generally, 4-star and 5-star hotels in China can fulfill these requirements.

You may want to try some unique local hotels or interesting themed hotels to get an extraordinary accommodation experience. For example, you can choose a siheyuan-style hotel in Beijing's Hutong with antique architecture and a lovely courtyard. Kids may prefer a palatial Disneyland hotel.

The safe hotel in the city center is convenient for you to freely explore the surrounding area and experience the energetic nightlife. Hotels located in the city center mean being close to major transportation hubs such as high-speed rail stations. It's also a good idea to choose accommodations near iconic scenic spots. This can save you time to get to the attractions. You may also have the chance to see a beautiful view of the attraction from your room. For example, staying in Wulingyuan Area, Zhangjiajie is convenient to visit most of the scenic spots. In Guilin, you can stay near Two Rivers and Four Lakes.

Family rooms, connecting rooms or suites are more suitable for families as they are spacious and can accommodate multiple people. If you need an extra bed, it is best to confirm with the hotel in advance. If you need to book more than one room, adjacent rooms are more convenient for family members.

If you need, we can arrange family-friendly hotels for you according to your family's needs and preferences.

Travel Tips for a Family Friendly China Tour

1. Flexible Itinerary

Don't be too tight on your schedule. Leave enough time for children and the elderly to rest or for unexpected changes that may occur. Try to avoid public holidays in China, such as Chinese New Year, National Day, etc., to avoid crowded people.

2. Packing Tips

Pack your clothes according to the season and the weather, as the climate varies greatly in different parts of China. Bring essential medications such as painkillers, cold medicine, etc. Don't leave your travel documents at home.

3. Safety and Health

Know in advance the local emergency contact numbers, such as 120 (ambulance) and 110 (police). It is necessary to purchase travel insurance for the whole family.

China Family Travel FAQs

1. Is China a good destination for family holidays?

China is an ideal family-friendly destination. China is a vast country with many things to see and do. The rich and colorful culture, historical sites, stunning natural scenery and comprehensive tourist facilities can meet the needs of family members of different ages. Chinese people are very friendly to children, which will make your travel experience more warm.

2. Is China safe to travel with kids?

Absolutely! China has a low crime rate. It is common for Chinese families to take their children out to play at night. Although China is generally safe, you and your kids still need to pay attention to thieves and moving vehicles in crowded areas. Also, in the crowd, make sure your child is always in your line of sight to prevent getting lost.

3. Which part of China is best for kids?

Any part of China is suitable for traveling to China with kids. Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tibet, Lhasa and other cities are favored by many families because of their famous scenic spots and good tourism conditions.

4. Is Chinese food kid-friendly?

Although the diet in China may be completely different from that in your country, there is a wide variety of Chinese food and rich flavors for you to choose from. Many Chinese restaurants are able to adjust the spiciness and saltiness of customers' dishes to suit their tastes. Even if you or your child cannot get used to Chinese food, you can find western restaurants, McDonald's, and KFC in most cities. Some street food may not be healthy.

You Might Like to Read