5 Days of Exploring Beijing’s Rich History - A Toddler-Friendly Itinerary

With a history spanning over 3,000 years, Beijing is unlike any other city - a place where ancient history meets modern innovation, with iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the city’s bustling streets are lined with a mix of historic hutongs, traditional courtyard residences, and futuristic skyscrapers.

We travelled to China in April last year with our then 16-month-old daughter and my husband's family (including his 19-month-old niece). We ended up spending 5 full days in Beijing, and for the other 4 days we took the bullet train to Xi'An (where you can visit the impressive Terracotta Army).

Below is my 5-day itinerary in Beijing with two toddlers in tow. As both girls were still so young when we went, they didn’t really need big play areas or toddler-specific activities, but were quite happy to just have run around as walking was still pretty novel to them. However, if you are travelling with slightly older children, you might want some more child-focussed attractions, so I have included a list of some options at the bottom of this post.

Useful Information for Visiting China

Before we get into the actual itinerary, there are a few things to bear in mind when visiting China, especially if it’s your first time visiting . Make sure you plan your trip well in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. (If you want to skip this section, you can jump straight to the itinerary.)

1. Visa Requirements

Unless you are from a country that is exempt from a Chinese visa, you will need a valid visa for travelling to China, so make sure you check what visa you need and what documents you will need to support your application. If you are travelling from the UK, you will need to first complete an online application form and then visit the Chinese Visa Centre in London to complete your application.  

This was definitely the most complicated visa application process I have done for a trip, but don’t worry - as long as you start the process in good time, it’s all relatively straightforward. The visa process will vary depending on your passport - for example, as my passport is Swedish, my process was slightly different to my husband’s and his family’s process, who were applying with British passports. 

Visit https://bio.visaforchina.cn/ for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and exemptions.

2. Currency and Payment

   
   

The official currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY or RMB). Credit or debit cards won’t work in China and as China is becoming increasingly cash free, the best way to pay for things is through mobile payment platforms such as WeChat and AliPay. WeChat is a bit trickier as only a few international cards will work, however AliPay was very easy to use and can be set up with most international bank cards. Everything is paid for by either scanning a QR code, or letting the vendor scan your QR code. 

3. Language Barrier

I was actually surprised at how little English is spoken in China, even in big cities like Beijing. We were lucky to have 2 Mandarin speakers in our group who basically handled all communication throughout our trip. On the few occasions I went and did something on my own, I used the translation service in the AliPay app, which was very handy. You can take a photo of signs/menus and it will translate all the text for you. We also met people who had these little translation devices that you speak into and it directly translates it. It might be worth doing a bit of research in advance for useful translation apps (Google translate will not work in China so make sure you find an app that won’t be blocked!)    

4. Internet and Connectivity

Many popular websites and apps (e.g., Google, Facebook, Instagram) are blocked in China (though WhatsApp seemed to work for us most of the time). We used WeChat to communicate with each other, but you might also consider getting a VPN before your trip.

If you do get a VPN, it’s worth buying an e-Sim because WiFi networks would block my VPN so it only worked with mobile data. I used NordVPN which cost me about £10 for a month.

If you haven't used an e-Sim before they are easy and quick to set up before departure and you can continue using data abroad instead of having to rely on WiFi which may block your VPN. We use Sim Local which has been easy, quick and reliable - for your 5% discount use the code "TODDLER" at checkout.

5. Getting around 

Beijing is well-connected by both subway, trains, buses and taxis so it was easy to get around. The subway had an additional app for purchasing tickets which none of us could figure out, so for this we would just use cash (all stations had a ticket booth so someone would always help us out). Some stations had lifts, however the ones that didn’t would often only have escalators going up, so we ended up often having to carry the pram down the stairs (and some stations are big which meant A LOT of stairs so a lightweight pram is advised!). Taxis in Beijing are very cheap and can be booked through an app called Didi, which is connected to the AliPay app (similar to Uber). Please note however that taxis don’t normally have child seats, so you would have to have your child on your lap, unless your child is big enough to sit on their own. 

6. Where to stay 

Beijing is a big city, so you want to make sure you’re not staying too far out to avoid spending ages travelling to different locations. Dongcheng is the most central district, so if you are travelling for the first time and want to visit a lot of the historical sites and attractions, this is probably the best area for you. Xicheng is also quite central, but a bit quieter and more traditional, or if you want more modern areas with more entertainment, Chaoyang or Sanlitun are good options. 

We stayed in Base-Wangfujing serviced apartments in Dongcheng for our first part of the trip and Live Fortuna Hotel in Chaoyang for the second part - both were really good and conveniently situated accommodations.  

7. Unwanted attention

As a white woman, I got a lot of attention with people staring and coming up to me asking if they could take photos with me. I had been told this would most likely happen so I was prepared for this and didn’t really mind too much - however, I hadn’t prepared for the fact that people would also show my daughter the same amount of attention, often taking photos of her without asking first. This made me feel uneasy and whenever we were in spaces with big crowds I felt really overprotective, constantly trying to shield her from people’s phones and cameras. I know this is just a cultural thing and there was most likely never any malicious intent, but it might be worth bearing in mind if you are planning to go with young children. (In the end, we noticed that with my husband being Chinese, if he was pushing the pram no one would pay my daughter any attention, as long as I walked a bit behind.) 

8. Play areas for toddlers

We struggled to find good playgrounds in Beijing – most of the parks we went to didn’t have a play area and did not even have green areas to run around in as all the green areas were closed off. I’m sure there were playgrounds if I had looked them up in advance, so this might be worthwhile factoring in beforehand. A lot of the shopping centres, however, did have play areas inside (sometimes an entire floor with rides, etc.) so perhaps it was more about knowing where to look.

5-Day Beijing Itinerary with a Toddler at a Glance 

Arriving in Beijing

Day 1: Temple of Heaven &  Nanluoguxiang Hutong

Day 2: The Great Wall of China

Day 3: Beihai Park, Yandaixie Street & Wudaoying Hutong

Day 4: The Forbidden City

Day 5: Yonghe Lama Temple & Wudaoying Hutong

Other activities

Arriving in Beijing

We arrived in Beijing early afternoon after a short flight from Hong Kong. After spending quite a bit of time checking into our hotel, the spacious and modern Base-Wangfujing serviced apartments, we set off to explore the city. By this point, it was nearly dinner time so we headed to Wangfujing Street, a pedestrianised street and one of the most popular streets for shopping in Beijing. We had read that there was a famous night market here, but after asking around, we found out that there are hardly any street food markets left in Beijing, as there have been new regulations requiring a licence to sell food on the street. We were directed to a food court instead, which had a mix of different traditional fast foods.

After dinner, our plan was to visit Tiananmen Square, a square that holds great historic significance - here you will find things like the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the National Museum of China and the Monument to the People's Heroes, however outside of China it is perhaps most famous as the place of the 1989 protests and massacre. Although the square itself is free to enter, we soon realised that you still need to book a ticket to access it, so we instead viewed it from a distance before heading back to our hotel.

Where to stay: Base-Wangfujing serviced apartments 

Day 1: Temple of Heaven &  Nanluoguxiang Hutong

For our first full day in Beijing, we started by visiting the Temple of Heaven. Tickets range from about ¥10-¥34 depending on season and ticket type, children under the age of 6 go free (ticket prices are subject to change). When we went, tickets could be bought at the entrance, so there was no need to pre-book tickets. Note: remember to always carry your passport with you, as all activities require a valid, physical passport.

Built during the Ming dynasty in the 15th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was where emperors performed ceremonial rituals to pray for good harvests and harmony between heaven and earth. The complex is renowned for its stunning architecture, particularly the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which is constructed entirely of wood without a single nail. 

There is plenty to see, so I would allow at least a good few hours here. It was extremely busy, so after a while, we decided to explore the surrounding parklands, which is a popular spot for locals practicing tai chi, singing, or playing traditional instruments. This was a lovely respite from the crowds, and we could let our daughter run around amongst the trees and the flowers before going for lunch at a nearby food court.

In the late afternoon, we went to Nanluoguxiang, one of Beijing’s most famous and vibrant hutongs. A hutong is a type of narrow alley or lane commonly found in older urban areas of Chinese cities, particularly in Beijing. These historic neighbourhoods are characterised by their traditional courtyard residences, known as siheyuan, which often house multiple families. Hutongs have been a part of Beijing’s cityscape for centuries, with some dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368).  

Nanluoguxiang is now a trendy destination filled with boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, and street food vendors. Here you can explore a mix of old and new, from quirky souvenirs and handmade crafts to modern takes on traditional Chinese snacks. This was a great spot to have some food and snacks to round off the night.

Day 2: Great Wall of China

Visiting the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, had always been a dream of mine, so today was a real highlight of our trip!  

Stretching over 13,000 miles across northern China, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was originally constructed to defend against invasions and served as a symbol of the country’s unity and strength. The wall’s construction began during the 7th century BC and reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), with its most well-preserved sections featuring stone and brick fortifications.

There are several different sections of the wall that you can visit, some are restored with easy access, others are more wild and rugged and will require a bit more hiking. We chose the Mutianyu section as it is one of the most well-preserved and family-friendly parts of the wall. Located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of Beijing, it offers stunning views of lush forests and rolling hills, making it a picturesque and less crowded alternative to other sections like Badaling.

There are a few different ways of getting there – if you’re feeling brave, you could get there by public transport. This involves a few different buses and quite a lengthy journey, so if you are travelling with kids, this might not be the best option. There are also several tours that go there daily, or you can hire a driver for the day. As we were quite a big group (6 adults and 2 children), we chose to hire a driver, which ended up only being around £20/person and meant we had a bit more flexibility in terms of timings. We booked our tickets to the wall online a couple of days in advance, and there were plenty of tickets available when we booked.

From the car park, there’s a free shuttle service that takes you to the bottom of the wall, and from there you can either get the cable car or the cableway (ski lift) up to the top. We didn't take the pram for this bit as there are quite a few steps, so I would suggest a baby carrier/baby back carrier in order to see as much as possible. Most of it is doable with a child, however the final part of the section to one side is very steep with a lot of steps to get to the top, so I would take this in turns (these were some of the best views of the wall so don’t miss out!).  

Once the tour groups started leaving, the wall was actually quite empty and we had parts of the wall all to ourselves. There is an option to take the toboggan down from the wall - me and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law did this without the kids, however it seems like you can go down with young children as well, as long as they go with you. Down at the bottom, there was a small playground where the girls enjoyed playing - this was a great way to burn off some energy before/after visiting the wall. 

We headed back around 4pm and finished the evening with a meal at the yunnan restaurant Little Yunnan - can highly recommend this for some authentic Yunnan food! Yunnan is a region in southwestern China and the cuisine is known for its bold flavours and fresh ingredients.

Day 3: Beihai Park, Yandaixie Street & Wudaoying Hutong

After yesterday’s full day of visiting the Great Wall, we decided to take it a bit easier today and explore the Shichahai area in Beijing - an area known for its lakes, hutongs and imperial gardens. There is plenty to see and do in this area, whether you just want a bit of nature and calm, soak in some history and culture or visit shops and restaurants.  

We started by walking along the peaceful Qianhai lake, the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a boat ride on the lake. We continued up to Yandaixie Street, a hutong and one of Beijing oldest commercial streets, bustling with food market stalls, tea houses and shops selling Chinese souvenirs. The street is also only a stone's throw away from the Drum and Bell Towers, the iconic historical landmarks that once served as the city's official timekeepers.

After a couple of hours, we started making our way back around the lake to visit Beihai Park, an imperial garden dating back to the 10th century, which used to serve as a retreat for emperors. We had hoped our daughter and her cousin could have a bit of a play in here, however the green areas were closed off so there weren’t too many parts where they could run around. We ended up finding an area that was fairly quiet, so we spent some time here before continuing. 

The most prominent feature of Beihai Park is the White Dagoba, a Tibetan-style stupa found on the small Jade Flower Island in Beihai lake. You can go all the way to the top for some beautiful views of the park and the city, or just walk around the island. Other notable attractions in the park include the Nine-Dragon Screen, an intricately carved glazed wall, and the Five-Dragon Pavilion, a picturesque spot on the lake's edge. 

In the evening, we went to the Wudaoying Hutong, a trendy and vibrant street in the Dongcheng District. Here you'll find a mixture of Chinese and Western restaurants, vintage shops and boutiques, tea houses and cocktail bars. Our daughter was asleep in the pram so we managed to have a cocktail before she woke up and we went and grabbed some dinner.

Day 4: The Forbidden City 

Today was our first day back in Beijing after spending 4 days in Xi’An and we had managed to get tickets to visit the Forbidden City, another highlight of our trip. 

Getting tickets was not the easiest - same-day tickets are not available, so all tickets need to be pre-bought online through this website or via a mini program in the WeChat app 7 days prior to your visit. Tickets are released everyday at 8pm and sell fast - so you basically need to book as soon as they are released. We ended up booking through a third-party website (basically a travel agent who did this process on behalf of us). We used travelchinaguide.com and they got us the tickets at a slightly higher price, but it meant we didn’t have the hassle of trying to book the tickets ourselves. (Please also note that the Forbidden City is closed on a Monday.)

The Forbidden City was built in the 1400s during the Ming Dynasty and served as the imperial palace for nearly 500 years, housing emperors and their households during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Spanning over 180 acres, the Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world, boasting over 980 buildings with traditional Chinese architecture. It is surrounded by a massive wall and a wide moat, symbolising its exclusivity and the emperor's supreme authority. The name "Forbidden City" reflects its historical function - entry was restricted, and only those granted imperial permission could enter.

This is definitely a full day activity (and even with a full day here you’ll not see even nearly everything!). My daughter was a bit poorly so my husband stayed at home with her as he’d already been on a previous trip to Beijing, but my sister-in-law and her husband brought their daughter of the same age. While it is child-friendly, with plenty of green areas for kids to run around, as well as baby changing facilities in several places, there are a lot of steps going up and down the different buildings, so I would suggest bringing a light-weight pram or maybe just a baby carrier. 

As tickets are limited, it didn’t feel overcrowded and you could walk around and explore at your own pace. Notable attractions include the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Imperial Garden, the Gate of Heavenly Purity and the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but I also really enjoyed the less prestigious areas, like getting lost in the servants' quarters. There are several museums within the palace, which house a vast collection of Chinese art and cultural artefacts (the museums are not included in the general admission, but they were only an additional £1 or similar) .     

There are several restaurants on site, as well as shops and stands selling snacks, ice creams and drinks, though we had chosen to bring a packed lunch today. After a full day here we were pretty knackered, so we headed back to our hotel for some rest.

As today was my mother-in-law’s birthday, we had booked to go to Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant, a restaurant famous for their Peking duck. There are a few different locations for the restaurant, we chose the one near Wangfujing Street as it was easy to get to from our hotel.

The food was good, but it was very pricey, especially compared to other meals we had had. I don’t eat duck personally, but the others weren’t that impressed, especially considering the tiny portion that was served.  

Where to stay: Live Fortuna Hotel

Day 5: Yonghe Lama Temple & Wudaoying Hutong  

This was the last full day of our trip and we started by visiting the Yonghe Lama Temple, a Tibetan buddhist temple in the Dongcheng district and one of Beijing's most renowned and well-preserved religious sites.

As my husband’s family are buddhist, this was a special visit for us and we lit some incense and did some prayers. There are a few steps leading up to some of the buildings, but it was generally pram friendly and easy enough to visit with young children. The only thing to be mindful of is that this is an active place of worship, so we were careful with where our daughter could run around by herself so as to not interfere with people praying. 

The Lama Temple is right next to the Wudaoying Hutong where we went a few nights earlier, so we decided to go back there today and see what it’s like in the daytime. We spent some time walking around and browsing the shops, before grabbing some lunch. We chose a trendy burger joint for our lunch today - as much as I love Chinese food, after 10 days of eating similar things, this really hit the spot! 

After lunch, we stayed in the area for a bit before heading back to our hotel and then had a quite evening packing and taking it in turns to go for massages nearby (if you are wanting a relaxing, calm massage this is probably not for you - it was quite a painful experience and I definitely ended up with some bruises! They did really work on those knots though and after a whole holiday of carrying a 12kg toddler, I had quite a few!)

Other child-friendly activities in Beijing

As mentioned earlier in this post, our daughter was quite young when we went and we found that there was enough for her to do at the more traditional sites and attractions, but if you are looking for more toddler-specific activities to do with your child in Beijing, then the below options might be for you!

• Beijing Zoo - Home to giant pandas and other animals that toddlers will love.

• Beijing Aquarium - Inside the zoo, this is Asia’s largest inland aquarium and perfect for a day of marine exploration.

• Chaoyang Park - A large park with playgrounds, open green areas, and even a small amusement park.

• Happy Valley Beijing - A theme park with toddler-friendly rides and attractions.

• Indigo Mall Play Area - Features a well-designed indoor playground perfect for young kids.

Visiting Beijing was truly an incredible experience, and a trip I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Many of the attractions we visited are historical and/or religious sites, which means you might have to be a bit more creative when entertaining your children as there aren't any dedicated play areas. That said, it's an excellent opportunity to teach your children about the rich culture and history of these places!