Beijing

The Peninsula Palace Beijing

8 Goldfish Lane
Wangfujing Street, Beijing 100006
Tel: +86 (0)10 8516 2888
Fax: +86 (0)10 6510 6311

This landmark hotel is located in the center of Beijing within walking distance of the city's historic heart, the Forbidden City. It has recently undergone a 35 million dollar renovation. Just stunning. Great amenities and services for kids.

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing

1 Gongmenqian Street
Summer Palace, Beijing 100091
Tel: +86 (0)10 5987 9999
Toll free: 1 800 990 9990
fax +86 (0)10 5987 9900
email: amanatsummerpalace@amanresorts.com

Just 15 kilometers northwest of Beijing's city center lies this tranquil resort ajacent to the East Gate of the Summer Palace. The original complex, dating back to the turn of the 20th century, was used by guests of the Summer Palace awating an audience with the Empress. The renovation celebrates Imperial Chinese architecture, materials, and fabrics, while providing every modern comfort. The property includes an extensive spa, variety of dining options and wide range of recreational facilities.

Forbidden City

No. 4, Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District
Tel: +86 (0)10 6513 2255
Apr-Oct 8:30am-5pm daily; Nov-Mar 8:30am-4:30pm daily
UNESCO World Heritage site

At the very heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum, is China's most magnificent complex. It was the Imperial residence of 24 emperors and their families, soldiers and servants from the early 1400s until 1911. There are six palaces and 800 buildings on the grounds, reportedly containing 9,999 rooms and halls, as well as hundreds of gardens. The city’s design and symmetry make it an architectural wonder.

Tian’anmen Square

Junction of Doncheng District and XiCheng District
Tel: +86 (0)10 652403322
Square open daily at pre-dawn for Sunrise Ceremonies
Building openings vary by season, but most are open by 8:30am year round

Lying south of the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square is the largest public plaza in the world (122 acres). It is famous for its huge portrait of Mao watching over everything…and everyone. Attractions include Tian'anmen Tower, Monument to People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, and my favorite, the National Museum of China (a must-see). And if you are an early riser, you will want to witness the Sunrise Ceremony that is at held at dawn each day – the Guard of Honor raise the flag to the national anthem. But you'll want to arrive early, as crowds come every day.

The National Museum of China

East side of Tian’anmen Square
16 East Chang'an Avenue
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006
Open Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm
Closed on Mondays

Opened in 2003, the National Museum is a combination of the Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum. The History Museum houses an astounding number of cultural relics illustrating the history and culture of China from 1,700,000 years ago to 1921, when the last emporer left the throne. The Revolutionary Museum showcases Communist Party artifacts.

Temple of Heaven Park

No. 7 east of Tianqiao, Tiantan Road, Changwen District
Daily 8am-5pm
UNESCO World Heritage site

The Temple of Heaven Park is a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, illustrating one of the world's great civilizations. The park covers 270 acres and contains three main groups of buildings – The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, The House of the Heavenly Lord and The Earthly Mount. The buildings are all exquisite examples of Ming Dynasty architecture and steeped in symbolism. The park is well used and most mornings you can see Tai Chi, rhythmic gymnastics, kite flying, and ballroom dancing classes.

Drum and Bell Towers

Northern end of Di’an Men Wai Dajie
Dongcheng, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 8402 7869
Open daily

Located north of the Forbidden City, these magnificent ancient towers offer great views of the city and a chance to hear the drums and ring the bell.

Lama Temple

12 Yonghe Gong Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: +86 (0)10 6404 4499
Open daily 9am-5pm

The Lama Temple is Beijing’s most spectacular temple complex and an important center for Tibetan Lamaism. 200 Monks still live, study and pray there. You'll want to visit the Hall of Everlasting Blessings, the Pavillion of Ten Thousand Happinesses and the Hall of the Dharma Wheel.

April 15th is the traditional festival of Tibetan Buddhism – the celebration is held from April 13-15. If you are interested in Buddhism, you can join them and learn more about Buddhist culture.

Confucius Temple

13 Guozijian Jie
Dongcheng, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 8401 1977
Open daily
Adjacent to the Lama Temple

Confucius may be the greatest educationist, ideologist and philosopher in China. His teachings played a key role in Imperial times and still play a part in Chinese culture today. This magnificent temple complex, covering 5.4 acres, is the second only to the Temple in Qufu, his birthplace. The main structures include the Gate of the First Teacher, the Gate of Great Accomplishment, the Wall of Great Accomplishment and the Worship Hall.

Summer Palace

Haidian District, Yi He Yuan
Tel:+86 (0)10 6260 0428
Daily 7am-5pm Nov 1-Mar 31; 6:30am-6pm Apr 1-Oct 31
UNESCO World Heritage site

The Summer Palace served as the summer retreat for the emperors in both the Ming and Qing dynasties. This 700-acre complex, three-quarters of which is water, is located 6 miles northwest of Beijing's center, and contains 3000 structures. It is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and landscape design. Its most famous sites are the Hall of Happiness and Longevity, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the Long Corridor and the Marble Boat.

Great Wall

Great Wall (Mutianyu section)
56 mi NE of Beijing
Huairou County
Daily 7:30am-6pm
Cable car and chair lifts
UNESCO World Heritage site

Built over a span of 1,100 years to protect against northern invaders, the Great Wall is one of the most awe-inspiring sites in the world. It winds across desert, grasslands, mountains and plateaus for more than 3,000 miles. Most of the wall we see today was built during the Ming Dynasty. Beijing is the best place to explore the Great Wall. Famous sections include Badaling, Juyongguan, Mutianyu, Simatai, Jinshanling and Jiankou. We visited the Mutianyu section, but you may also want to visit the restored Badaling section.

Ming Tombs

Ming Tombs in Changping District
30 mi NW of urban Beijing
Tel:+86 (0)10 8976 1554
Daily 8:30am-5:30pm

A magnificent burial ground for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors along with their empresses and concubines. The most famous sites at the Ming Tombs are – the Sacred Way, the road leading into the tomb complexes, the Dingling Tomb (the only tomb whose underground palace has ever been excavated), and the Changling Tomb (the largest and best preserved of the thirteen Ming Tombs).

Hutong Tours

West Di'anmen Street (west of north entrance of Beihai Park)
Reservations: +86 (0)10 6615 9097
Office Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm
Daily Tours at 9am and 2pm

When is a tour an attraction? When you take a pedicab tour of the Beijing hutongs and courtyards. This is where you will experience the real Beijing. You'll see typical lanes and ancient residences where the locals still live. Taking a closer look at this disappearing world is like entering another century. Our tour included a visit to the 700-year-old Guang Hua Temple and tea at Prince Gong's Mansion.

Chaoyang Theater

36 Dongsanhuan Bei Lu,
Eastern district of Sanlitun, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 6506 8849

Remarkable acrobats. Unbelievable sets and gravity-defying performances.

Tiandi Theater

10 Dong Zhi Men Nan Dajie,
Eastern district of Sanlitun, Beijing
Tel:+86 (0)10 6416 9893

Spectacular acrobatics. My son Ali was so enthralled, we had to go back the next night.

Li Yuan Theater

Qian Men Hotel
175 Yong’an Lu
Xuanwu District, Beijing
Tel:+86 (0)10 8315 7297

Situated in Beijing Qianmen Hotel, Liyuan Theater is the most prestigious performance venue of Beijing Opera. We saw Shaolin Monks performing martial arts the afternoon we visited. Emerson was captivated, and a bit intimidated when he got to meet them after the show.

International Center for Beijing Opera Training School

3 Liren Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing 10054
Ghaffar Pourazar, director
Academy of Chinese Traditional Opera
Booking: beijingopera@yahoo.com

The center affords a wonderful opportunity for kids to dress up in full costume and make up. My daughter and youngest son (the theater enthusiast) really loved this stop. Visits need to be pre-booked.

Beijing Calligraphy School

38 Main Street North Pond
Beijing Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006
Tel: +86 (0)10 6512 1315

Though all three of our children loved this class, Emerson was particularly taken with calligraphy. Visit needs to be pre-booked.

Beijing Shi Cha Hai Sports School

57 Di'anmen Xi Road
West District, Beijing 100009
Tel: +86 (0)10 6618 2375
Bookings: beijingsch@yahoo.com.cn

One of main centers for training children in sports such as wushu, table tennis, badminton, weightlifting, gymnastics, volleyball, tennis, boxing, free combat and taekwondo. While Morgan really enjoyed the gymastics, the boys really took to the martial arts classes. Visit needs to be pre-booked.

Beijing Dance Academy

No.19 Minzu Daxue South Road
Haidian District, Beijing 100081
Tel: +86 (0)10 6893 5678

Lovely to watch these young dancers practice and perform. Pre-book your visit.

Water Cube at the Olympic Aquatic Center

Water Cube Water Park, Olympic Park
No 11. Tianchen Donglu, Chaoyang District
Tel:+86 (0)10 8437 2030 or +86 (0)10 8437 2001
Daily 10am-9:30pm

After a major transformation following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Water Cube was turned into a large water amusement park and reopened to the public in August 2010.

Three Stones Kite Company

29 Di’anmen Xi Road, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 8404 4505, +86 (0)10 6403 0393
This is kite heaven. All kites are made of silk and hand painted. Bright, bold colors. Fascinating shapes and patterns. And the family has been in business for over 100 years.

Xu’s Antique Carpets

#404 Luijaying Village
Shibalidian Town
Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 5165 0303 (Beijing sales)
Tel: +86 (0)10 5128 6644

Fangshan Restaurant

No.1, Wenjin Jie, inside Beihai Park, Beijing
+86 (0)10 6401 1889
Daily 11:00am-1:30pm, 5:00pm-7:30pm

Located on an island in Beihai Park in a traditional courtyard facing the lake. Fangshan offers imperial court cuisine based on recipes from the Qing imperial kitchens. A real feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.

Li Family Restaurant

11 Yang Fang Hutong, Denei Avenue, Beijing
Tel: +86 (0)10 6618 0107
Daily 9am-9pm
Reservations recommended
Credit cards not accepted

Hidden away in a quiet hutong, you might wonder why the Li Family restaurant is so popular. Once you have tried the delicious cuisine, a mix of Imperial Court and Beijing traditional dishes, you will know. No set menus, but are served courses based on the price per person.

Sichuan Fandian

17 Qianhai Xijie, Xicheng district
Tel: +86 (0)10 6615 6924
Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9pm
Next to the gate to Prince Gong's Palace

Sichuan cuisine at it finest. Fantastic sauces. And the best sweet and sour soup of our entire trip!

China Club

51 Xirong Xian Hutong, Xidan, Beijing
Membership Information: +86 (0) 10 6603 8855 Ext. 116/117
Food and Beverage: +86 (0) 10 6603 8855 Ext 125/127/129

Housed in a Qing palace, this private member's club serves haute Sichuanese, Cantonese, and Shanghainese cuisine.

Agua

4th Floor Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun North Street, Beijing
Tel: +86-(0) 10 5208 6188
Lunch: 11am-2:30pm, Dinner: 6-11pm, Bar open: 11am-2:30pm and 6pm to late

One of the Aqua restaurant group's original concepts, serving contemporary Spanish food in a hip, elegant setting.

Temple Kitchen

171 Fuchengmennei St., Beijing, China
Tel: +86 (0) 10 6618 1119

Located in the former Tibetan Buddhist Temple of Wisdom, in the old Hutong area of the city. French/Contemporary European cuisine, served in contemporary surroundings with views into the historic property.