Traveling with Kids to Beijing: 4 Types of Unique Accommodation Areas That Save You Half a Day on Entrance Fees
When choosing accommodations for families in Beijing, don't just focus on traditional hotels near tourist attractions. Choosing accommodations based on four themes—"staying in design," "staying in scenery," "staying in traditional Beijing," and "staying in resort areas"—can make the accommodation itself an integral part of the travel experience. Below, we've selected a representative area for each of these four categories and offer practical suggestions based on three dimensions: suitable demographics, photo spots, and family-friendly facilities. Specific hotel names and prices are not included in this article; we only discuss the selection logic for each area.
Designer Hotels/Boutique B&Bs: Sanlitun-Liangmahe Area
Suitable for: Young parents, families with discerning taste in space, and especially suitable for short stays with preschool children. This area boasts a high density of design hotels and boutique apartments in Beijing, some converted from old commercial buildings, with art installations and exhibitions frequently appearing in the common areas. After its renovation, the Liangma River International Waterfront offers a pleasant walking and cycling experience, and is also convenient for strollers.
Room selection tips: To determine if a hotel is family-friendly, prioritize three points: whether it provides cribs and children's amenities, whether there is an elevator, and whether it is close to a park or pedestrian area. These areas tend to have vibrant nightlife, so it's recommended to choose rooms on the riverside or on higher floors to avoid street noise affecting your afternoon nap.
Photo spots: The night view of Liangma River, the waterfront promenade, the design corners in the hotel lobby and stairwells, and the treehouse area on the west side of Chaoyang Park are all great for taking pictures.
Family-friendly facilities: Most hotels offer cribs, children's bathrobes, and children's toiletries, while some have small reading corners or building block areas; nearby Blue Harbor and Sanlitun Taikoo Li have children's play areas and family-friendly restaurants, making it convenient to resupply.
Lake view/mountain view rooms: Yanqi Lake - Huairou area
Suitable for: Families who want to escape the city and let their children see mountains and water up close; ideal for weekend getaways or short holidays. The Huairou area, surrounded by Yanqi Lake, Qinglong Gorge, and Hongluo Temple, offers a concentration of lake-view and mountain-view rooms, with some hotels built along the lake offering views of the mountain ridgeline right from the windows.
Room selection tips: Prioritize high-floor lake-view rooms with balconies or floor-to-ceiling windows for a more expansive view; if traveling with children and concerned about dampness, avoid first-floor lake-facing rooms. Temperature differences between day and night are significant in spring and autumn, so bring a light jacket. Families traveling by car can combine their accommodation with hiking in Qinglong Gorge and visiting the ancient Hongluo Temple to create a short vacation itinerary.
Photo spots: Yanqi Lake Dam and the island in the middle of the lake, the exterior of Sunrise East building, the reed beds and viewing platforms along the lakeside trail. A light mist often shrouds the lake in the early morning, perfect for taking family silhouette photos.
Family-friendly facilities: The lakeside trails are accessible by bicycle or scooter, and some hotels feature indoor heated swimming pools, kids' clubs, and lawn activity areas; nearby are orchards and nature camps, allowing guests to combine accommodation with light outdoor activities.
Old villas/courtyard houses/local building renovation: Shichahai-Nanluoguxiang area
Suitable for families who want their school-aged children to experience old Beijing architecture and hutong culture. Children aged 6 and above are recommended to stay here, as they are more likely to understand the space and follow the courtyard's quiet rules. This area features a concentration of renovated courtyard houses as guesthouses, preserving gray bricks, screen walls, wooden beams, and courtyards; some even have balconies with views of the Drum Tower.
Room selection tips: Soundproofing in older courtyard houses is generally poor, so confirm before booking whether it includes a private bathroom and the possibility of extra beds; if traveling with young children, try to choose a main house or suite enclosed by a courtyard wall, and avoid side rooms facing the street. If staying in winter, focus on inquiring about the heating method and the stability of hot water; in summer, pay attention to whether there are screens and mosquito nets.
Photo spots: courtyard houses with hanging flower gates, gray brick screen walls, the terrace of Gulou East Street, and Yinding Bridge in Houhai. In winter, you can take photos of the Shichahai ice rink; in summer, you can photograph the shady hutongs.
Family-friendly facilities: Most courtyards offer communal kitchens and extra beds, while some have small courtyards for children to play in; the Shichahai ice rink (in winter) and several hutong museums are within walking distance, making it convenient to incorporate cultural explanations.
Family-friendly resorts/theme parks: Tongzhou Universal Resort area
Suitable for families planning a trip to Universal Studios or a Grand Canal cultural tour, especially those visiting Beijing for the first time with children who are very interested in theme parks. This area features resort hotels, family apartments, and some accommodations with shuttle services, all close to the resort entrance to save travel time.
Room selection tips: Prioritize checking for scheduled shuttle bus service to and from the park, whether children's breakfast is included, and whether extra beds or connecting rooms are available. If your itinerary includes the Grand Canal Forest Park, consider accommodations on the east side or along the subway line to balance both the park and nature attractions.
Photo spots: The Universal CityWalk entrance landmark, the cinematic decorations in the hotel's public areas, the Grand Canal Forest Park viewing platform, and the canal wharf. Some accommodation areas also have themed photo walls.
Family-friendly facilities: Family rooms and children's breakfast are standard, most include children's bathrobes and slippers, and some have indoor children's playgrounds or swimming pools; shuttle services to and from the park can reduce the burden of changing trains with children.
Staying in a lake-view room by Yanqi Lake with your child is like bringing a nature lesson right outside your window; staying near Universal Studios means saving half a day of queuing and rush hour traffic; and staying in a courtyard house is like letting your child complete an architectural enlightenment in the hutongs.