The Only List You’ll Need for Golden Week

We already covered special day trips and hotels perfect for any kind of overnight treat, but how about those special outings that only Beijing can offer? Those places you hear about but never have enough time to visit?

Here at beijingkids we make so many great lists of different places that it’s a shame to make you scroll through our posts to find the kinds of fun you need. So just bookmark this blog and we’ll link you to the coolest playdates within our city’s borders!

Dust off Those Swim Trunks at Twenty-First Century Hotel Swimming (二十一世纪饭店游泳馆)

If you want an Olympic size pool, then this indoor facility is right up your street. Should you decide to take your kids here, it might be advisable to watch them closely, but lifeguards are constantly on standby in case of any emergency.  Open from 9am to 9pm every day of the week, it also comes in at the affordable price of RMB 73 per person.

Address: 40 Landmark Road, Chaoyang District, 亮马桥路40号

READ MORE: A Deep Dive Into Beijing’s Best Kid-Friendly Pools

Hoop It up at Hongchang Junhuaxiang Basketball Stadium 宏昌竣花香篮球馆

There are two courts at this venue, which is covered by an air dome. Although the lighting is dim, the courts provide good feedback and aren’t slippery. You can book either a half or full court on Dianping, but the spots fill up very quickly. RMB 70 per person per session.

Inside the Hongchangjun Net Badminton Center, 88 Laiguangying East Road
来广营东路88号宏昌竣网羽中心内

READ MORE: Hoop With Your Friends at These Reopened Basketball Courts

Scavenger Hunt at Beihai Park

When one of our favorite local travel companies Bespoke Beijing announced that their First Ever DIY Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt was up and running, we were over the moon. Scavenger hunts boost observational skills, promote problem-solving and critical thinking, support team-work, as well as giving you an opportunity to learn new things. Oh, and you get to spend the day outdoors in a beautiful setting exercising your body as well. What’s not to love?

READ MORE: Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt Is the Perfect Weekend Family Activity

Touring As Easy As… Riding a Bike

The company currently runs two regular tours: Old Beijing, which visits locations like Ghost Street, the Drum and Bell Towers, the Forbidden City, Fox Tower, and the Ming Dynasty City Wall; and Modern Beijing, which stops by locations like Galaxy Soho, CBD, CCTV Offices, China Zun, Phoenix Offices, and The Workers Stadium. They have also just officially re-opened their very popular Hutong tour, which can run as normal now that most of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

READ MORE: Kids Under 12 Explore Beijing for Free With B-Electric Bike Tours

Try Some Beijing Street Food Like Baozi (包子 bāozi)

Finally, steamed buns or baozi are the Beijing street food which can be the most customizable in terms of filling. The base dough is often made using white flour, milk, water, yeast, and oil. Then, the seller will steam the buns after adding a filling inside.

Classic breakfast options are pork buns but when it comes to baozi, there are no limits to what you can fill them with. Any type of meat or vegetable baozi can be found at street stands around the city, and if you happen to venture into a local dessert shop, there are plenty of dessert buns filled with things like sweet custard or red bean paste that are just waiting for your to discover.

READ MORE: The Teenager’s Guide to Beijing Street Food

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Photos: Uni You, Courtesy of Authors, Bespoke Beijing, and Venues