Traveling in China with kids

Traveling in China with kids is certainly a more adventurous vacation option and you’ll need to be an adventurous family to enjoy it. The only constant in China is change and it’s likely kids, with their sponge-like brains and boundless energy, will cope better as the country flips between modernity and tradition than their parents.

Will your toddler remember the Great Wall? Doubtful. But they’ll have a blast sliding down the toboggan. Will they eat all the food? Probably not. But there’s always fried rice. Top of your packing list? An open mind. Remember that and the kids will love it.

For health and safety information, please see our Travel advice page.

Luoyang Kung Fu School
Long before the likes of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan joined in, China’s Shaolin monks have been known for their dedication to the study of Kung Fu for centuries. Once you’ve learned about the history behind the discipline, you can join the monks at their mountainside monastery for a lesson.

Liddy Pleasants from our supplier, Stubborn Mule shares her tips on traveling in China with kids: “China is ideal for families as there is such an incredible variety of experiences and activities. You might be learning to stir-fry in the morning and floating on a bamboo raft in the afternoon. There is always something going on, whether it is exploring markets, sampling weird and wonderful foods (fried scorpion anyone?), joining in with morning tai chi, walking on the Great Wall or heading into the backstreets by cycle rickshaw. China is suitable as a destination for children of any age as long as the itinerary is carefully planned. Younger children will enjoy having a few days in the same place and traveling at a slower pace, whilst older children will want a range of activities and a bit more 'action'. The thing to remember is that you can't see the whole of China in one visit. It is a vast country and the best trips are those where visitors concentrate on fewer places and explore them in depth.”