Traveling in China with kids
Try the food; try a rural guesthouse: taking small, but manageable risks when traveling in China with kids can reap big rewards.![]()
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.
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.
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Activities for families in China
Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre
A trip to Chengdu is a chance for your kids to ooh and ahh at the cute bears without your conscience having to worry about how they’re treated. Besides watching the adorable creatures lumber about, the museum at the center is an opportunity to engage your kids’ enquiring minds about the benefits of conservation.
Yangshuo Caves
What kid doesn’t like caves? Especially when mud is thrown into the mix. The Longmen Cave at Yangshuo can be accessed via boat on an underground stream and, if the mood takes you, you can jump in the mud baths there before washing off in the waterfall.
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.
Our top China family Vacation
Exciting family vacation in China
An exciting family vacation taking in the highlights of China
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US $3750 to US $4000
16 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
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Traveling in China with kids
Olly Pemberton from our vacation specialists Exodus shares his tips things to do in China with kids: “China is definitely a family destination. As a trip, it’s very different to what a family would normally consider in that it’s not a beach break, but it’s an exciting destination for a family to travel to and there really is something for everyone. There’s a Kung Fu school, for instance, at Luoyang’s Shaolin Temple, where kids can have a Kung Fu lesson. This ties in perfectly with the incredible ancient history that parents and older children will enjoy exploring there. You can’t do an interesting and unique Chinese activity without the history, so they go hand in hand.”
Liddy Pleasants, from our vacation partners 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.”
More about China
Our tips on the best time to visit China, month by month, with our cultural pick from the Chinese calendar.
Our China travel guide features everything from advice on food and shopping to a brief history of China.
Our China highlights include an interactive map, as well as a list of classic itineraries and travel times.
The list of things to do in China is as long as the Great Wall - start your itinerary planning here.
From Beijing to Chengdu, Shanghai to Xi'an, its cities offer insights into China's past, present and future.
A brief history of China's terracotta army, and the best way to visit the terracotta warriors from Xi'an.
Read our guide to learn how to visit the Great Wall of China, and why the quieter bits speak loudest.
It's in scenes of local life that you’ll get a true picture of what it’s really like to live in Beijing.
Discover the joys of walking in China, including where go on a China hiking vacation.
Cycling is an important part of Chinese culture so it makes perfect sense to explore on two wheels.
Train travel in China is not only an easy option, but also a fantastic way to get to know the country.
The best way to get the most from the Forbidden City is a tour with a knowledgeable local guide.
Tours to rural China let you stay in local communities, to see a side of China that most visitors don’t.
Chinese food is hard to define, because the country is so vast - every region has its own distinct cuisine.
These China travel tips from our expert partners will help you get around easily and safely in China.
China has got tourism problems; we've got the low down on what you can do to travel better in China.
From cycling to walking, exploring Yunnan or the Great Wall, our China travel guides are an indispensable resource.
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