New Parents e-Guide to Beijing by Cheryl Probst

Family Attractions in Chinese Capital, Fun Things to Do & Logistics

Jul 12, 2009 Solange Hando

This new Parents Guide to Beijing offers sound practical advice and reveals a city full of exciting attractions for all the family.

The Parent’s Guide to Beijing by Cheryl Probst is a newly published e-book, running to 36 easy to read pages. The introduction sets the tone with an overview of kid friendly activities, from dressing up in imperial costumes to flying kites on Tian’anmen Square. Parents are advised to set a leisurely pace and be selective rather than try to see it all in just a few days.

The guide is geared to families with children aged five and over but includes fun and advice for toddlers as well.

There are bite size nuggets of information on Chinese culture and lots of tips, such as the most important thing to remember before leaving the hotel.

New Parents Guide to Beijing, Family Attractions in Chinese Capital

The book begins with six top family attractions in Beijing and directions on how to get there by public transport. Sights range from the Summer Palace where acrobats perform every day to temples where children have fun ringing bells or finding a tree with a human face.

Tian’anmen Square is presented with families in mind as is the Forbidden City, complete with James Bond appeal. The Great Wall section offers tips on avoiding crowds and getting the best views. The Zoo and Aquarium are covered in detail as befits a great favourite of children and parents.

Fun Things to Do in Beijing, a Kid Friendly City

Fun things to do include exploring the parks and the Olympic Green with lots of statues to climb on, trying the new exercise equipment out on the streets or playing I Spy, Beijing style. There’s even a quiz for quiet moments.

There are practical suggestions for boat and rickshaws rides, cycling or walking around the hutongs, souvenir hunting with children in mind, buying toys and bargaining with street hawkers.

Adventurous eating claims four pages from night markets to Mac Donalds, from chopsticks to Peking duck. There’s a link for cooking classes, children and parents welcome.

Parents Guide to Beijing, Getting around Beijing and Other Logistics

Practical advice ranges from buying English books or Mandarin flashcards to using Chinese toilets or hiring taxis. Public Transport covers the main underground lines and how to spot an entrance, and buses, including charges and numbering system.

The final section offers basic help with language from numbers to hello or I don’t want it, plus addresses of main tourist offices in Beijing and useful websites.

Tips you may not find anywhere else conclude the Parents Guide to Beijing, followed by a brief biography of the award-winning author. Cheryl Probst has visited China about 14 times and regards it as her second home.

The copyright of the article New Parents e-Guide to Beijing by Cheryl Probst in S Asia/China Travel is owned by Solange Hando. Permission to republish New Parents e-Guide to Beijing by Cheryl Probst in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The Great Wall of China, Badaling