www.aroundtheworldin80diapers.com 80 Diapers’ With Kids Ideal Itinerary

Beijing with babies and toddlers Beijing with elementary-age kids

Lama Temple The largest Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple The largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside of Tibet. Temple outside of Tibet. Stunningly beautiful. Lunch at the vegetarian restaurant across from the Confucius Temple around the Lunch at nearby McDonalds corner. Blue Zoo (cool underground aquarium) Drum and Bell Towers (babies) or Blue Zoo (toddlers). Dinner at Wangfujing street market. Brave kids can sample anything from tarantula to Dinner and people-watching at Wangfujing squid on a stick. Chickens can go with . . . well Street Market. Watch crazy people eat . . . chicken. disgusting things on a stick, or if you like, join the crazies. I, not being a crazy myself, recommend the candied hawthorne fruit. Totally addictive.

Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling) Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling)

Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and down from the base of the stairs. Don't walk the toboggan slide down. Adults can ride with it, it's 1600 steps just to the base of the wall. small kids on a double toboggan.

Lunch at The Schoolhouse or, if you’re on a Lunch at Subway budget, Subway.

Red Snail Temple (if kids are still up for it, or Red Snail Temple (ride the slides and do the can sleep in the stroller) Zodiac Animals walk)

Forbidden City (2-3 hours) Visit the Hall of (1-2 hours—go straight Clocks and the Emperor’s private quarters. through front to back.)

Lunch at nearby restaurant. Lunch at McDonalds or KFC.

Walk and pedal boats at Fly kites and ride boats at Beihai Park

www.aroundtheworldin80diapers.com 80 Diapers’ Beijing With Kids Ideal Itinerary

Temple of Heaven Go early and enter Go early and enter through the back gate. Wander the park and through the back gate. Wander the park and watch the people play. Join in a dance, or a watch the people play. Join other kids in a workout, or a game of hackisac. Make sure ribbon dance or a game of hackisac. And you find the impromptu choir of patriotic make sure to buy some RolliBall racquets to singers. take home.

After you’ve had your fill of playing, head After you’ve had your fill of playing, head through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the Universe. Don’t forget to get a picture. Universe. Don’t forget to get a picture.

Lunch at Hutong Pizza Lunch at Hutong Pizza

Wander the Hutongs (old neighborhoods) Take a rickshaw ride around the Hutongs (old around Houhai Lake for a real taste of “Old neighborhoods) around Houhai Lake for a Beijing.” Especially look for the famous kite real taste of “Old Beijing.” Especially look for store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs. the famous kite store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs.

DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist temple is my one of my favorite spots in temple is my one of my favorite spots in Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and ghosts, you will start to wonder if George ghosts, you will start to wonder if George Lucas came here before making Star Lucas came here before making Star Wars. Uncrowded and delightful. Wars. Uncrowded and delightful.

ChaoYang Park Ride amusement park rides, ChaoYang Park Ride amusement park rides, fly kites, eat snacks or take a boat ride. People rent a quad bike, take a UFO boat ride, or visit watching at its best. the Sony Explorascience Museum if you’re too hot.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Visit the temples, (at left) OR palaces and gardens, and enjoy an electric (Yuanmingyuan) Head boat ride around the lake. straight back through the gardens to the ruins in the back. Here your kids can climb, Be sure to visit the Garden of Supreme Indiana Jones style, all over the remains of Harmony on the right hand side of the palace the Emperor’s 17th century palace and grounds–incredibly beautiful. astronomy tower. Once they’ve had their fill of ruins, visit the many beautiful gardens or Eat lunch at a restaurant in Little Suzhou in take a boat ride around the water lily lakes. the back half of the Palace. www.aroundtheworldin80diapers.com 80 Diapers’ Beijing With Kids Ideal Itinerary

Make sure you get a blown-candy animal – made to order right in front of you, they are an amazing and unique treat and a great photo op.

Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Panda House) Panda House)

www.aroundtheworldin80diapers.com 80 Diapers’ Beijing With Kids Ideal Itinerary

Beijing with teenagers Lama Temple (the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet)

Lunch at vegetarian restaurant across from the Confucius Temple.

Beihai Park and Temple–ride pedal boats, wander the park.

Dinner at Wangfujing street market. This tourist destination will supply you with disgusting pictures for your teen to share with their friends–scorpion on a stick, anyone?

For the fainter of heart, I recommend the candied hawthorne fruit. Totally addictive.

Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling) Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and the toboggan slide down. Crazy fun.

Lunch at Subway or snack stands (banana pancakes!)

Red Snail Temple Stroll through the eerie and beautiful Forest of the 500 Arhats and get your picture taken with your own personal Chinese Zodiac Animal.

Tiananmen Square and Mao’s Tomb.

Lunch at nearby restaurant or KFC (try the red bean slushie!)

Forbidden City (2-3 hours) Visit the Hall of Clocks and the Emperor’s private quarters in the back right corner.

Temple of Heaven Go early and enter through the back gate. Wander the park and watch elderly men perform feats of strength, buy a hand-crocheted Christmas ornament and master the sport of RolliBall. After you’ve had your fill of playing, head through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the Universe. Don’t forget to get a picture.

Lunch at KFC or Yoshinoya across the street (out the back gate.) www.aroundtheworldin80diapers.com 80 Diapers’ Beijing With Kids Ideal Itinerary

Shopping at the Pearl Market (looks like a big mall behind the Temple of Heaven) for clothes, electronics, souvenirs, knockoff antiques and everything your heart could desire. Haggle hard.

DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist temple is my one of my favorite spots in Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and ghosts, you will start to wonder if George Lucas came here before making Star Wars. Teens especially love the “Department for the implementation of 15 kinds of violent death.”

Wander the Hutongs (old neighborhoods) around Houhai Lake for a real taste of “Old Beijing.” You can even take a rickshaw ride (bargain for better prices). Especially look for the famous kite store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs.

Yiheyuan (Summer Palace) Check out Empress Cixi’s Summer Palace where she imprisoned her son, rent a pedal boat, and don’t forget to check out the Well of the Concubine, where Cixi threw her son’s favorite wife when he tried to form a parliamentary government. History has never been cooler.

Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Panda House)

Shop the underground “Zoo Market.” Cheap designer knockoffs and a “real China” experience. Bring your haggling skills.