Lama Temple The largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside of Tibet. Temple outside of Tibet. Stunningly beautiful.

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1 Beijing with babies and toddlers Lama Temple The largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside of Tibet. Lunch at the vegetarian restaurant across from the Confucius Temple around the corner. Drum and Bell Towers (babies) or Blue Zoo (toddlers). Dinner and people-watching at Wangfujing Street Market. Watch crazy people eat disgusting things on a stick, or if you like, join the crazies. I, not being a crazy myself, recommend the candied hawthorne fruit. Totally addictive. Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling) Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and down from the base of the stairs. Don't walk it, it's 1600 steps just to the base of the wall. Lunch at The Schoolhouse or, if you re on a budget, Subway. Red Snail Temple (if kids are still up for it, or can sleep in the stroller) Beijing with elementary-age kids Lama Temple The largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside of Tibet. Stunningly beautiful. Lunch at nearby McDonalds Blue Zoo (cool underground aquarium) Dinner at Wangfujing street market. Brave kids can sample anything from tarantula to squid on a stick. Chickens can go with... well... chicken. Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling) Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and the toboggan slide down. Adults can ride with small kids on a double toboggan. Lunch at Subway Red Snail Temple (ride the slides and do the Zodiac Animals walk) Forbidden City (2-3 hours) Visit the Hall of Clocks and the Emperor s private quarters. Lunch at nearby restaurant. Walk and pedal boats at Beihai Park Forbidden City (1-2 hours go straight through front to back.) Lunch at McDonalds or KFC. Fly kites and ride boats at Beihai Park

2 Temple of Heaven Go early and enter through the back gate. Wander the park and watch the people play. Join in a dance, or a workout, or a game of hackisac. Make sure you find the impromptu choir of patriotic singers. After you ve had your fill of playing, head through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the Universe. Don t forget to get a picture. Lunch at Hutong Pizza Wander the Hutongs (old neighborhoods) around Houhai Lake for a real taste of Old Beijing. Especially look for the famous kite store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs. DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist temple is my one of my favorite spots in Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and ghosts, you will start to wonder if George Lucas came here before making Star Wars. Uncrowded and delightful. ChaoYang Park Ride amusement park rides, fly kites, eat snacks or take a boat ride. People watching at its best. Temple of Heaven Go early and enter through the back gate. Wander the park and watch the people play. Join other kids in a ribbon dance or a game of hackisac. And make sure to buy some RolliBall racquets to take home. After you ve had your fill of playing, head through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the Universe. Don t forget to get a picture. Lunch at Hutong Pizza Take a rickshaw ride around the Hutongs (old neighborhoods) around Houhai Lake for a real taste of Old Beijing. Especially look for the famous kite store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs. DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist temple is my one of my favorite spots in Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and ghosts, you will start to wonder if George Lucas came here before making Star Wars. Uncrowded and delightful. ChaoYang Park Ride amusement park rides, rent a quad bike, take a UFO boat ride, or visit the Sony Explorascience Museum if you re too hot. Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) Visit the temples, palaces and gardens, and enjoy an electric boat ride around the lake. Be sure to visit the Garden of Supreme Harmony on the right hand side of the palace grounds incredibly beautiful. Eat lunch at a restaurant in Little Suzhou in the back half of the Palace. Summer Palace (at left) OR Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Head straight back through the gardens to the ruins in the back. Here your kids can climb, Indiana Jones style, all over the remains of the Emperor s 17 th century palace and astronomy tower. Once they ve had their fill of ruins, visit the many beautiful gardens or take a boat ride around the water lily lakes.

3 Make sure you get a blown-candy animal made to order right in front of you, they are an amazing and unique treat and a great photo op. Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Panda House) Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Panda House)

4 Beijing with teenagers Lama Temple (the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet) Lunch at vegetarian restaurant across from the Confucius Temple. Beihai Park and Temple ride pedal boats, wander the park. Dinner at Wangfujing street market. This tourist destination will supply you with disgusting pictures for your teen to share with their friends scorpion on a stick, anyone? For the fainter of heart, I recommend the candied hawthorne fruit. Totally addictive. Great Wall at Mutianyu (not Badaling) Ride the Red Tram (NOT the ski lift) up and the toboggan slide down. Crazy fun. Lunch at Subway or snack stands (banana pancakes!) Red Snail Temple Stroll through the eerie and beautiful Forest of the 500 Arhats and get your picture taken with your own personal Chinese Zodiac Animal. Tiananmen Square and Mao s Tomb. Lunch at nearby restaurant or KFC (try the red bean slushie!) Forbidden City (2-3 hours) Visit the Hall of Clocks and the Emperor s private quarters in the back right corner. Temple of Heaven Go early and enter through the back gate. Wander the park and watch elderly men perform feats of strength, buy a hand-crocheted Christmas ornament and master the sport of RolliBall. After you ve had your fill of playing, head through the ticket gate to visit the temple, the echo wall, and of course, the Center of the Universe. Don t forget to get a picture. Lunch at KFC or Yoshinoya across the street (out the back gate.)

5 Shopping at the Pearl Market (looks like a big mall behind the Temple of Heaven) for clothes, electronics, souvenirs, knockoff antiques and everything your heart could desire. Haggle hard. DongYue Temple This little-known Taoist temple is my one of my favorite spots in Beijing. Full of statues of gods, monsters and ghosts, you will start to wonder if George Lucas came here before making Star Wars. Teens especially love the Department for the implementation of 15 kinds of violent death. Wander the Hutongs (old neighborhoods) around Houhai Lake for a real taste of Old Beijing. You can even take a rickshaw ride (bargain for better prices). Especially look for the famous kite store Sanshizhai for fabulous souvenirs. Yiheyuan (Summer Palace) Check out Empress Cixi s Summer Palace where she imprisoned her son, rent a pedal boat, and don t forget to check out the Well of the Concubine, where Cixi threw her son s favorite wife when he tried to form a parliamentary government. History has never been cooler. Beijing Aquarium and Zoo (especially the Panda House) Shop the underground Zoo Market. Cheap designer knockoffs and a real China experience. Bring your haggling skills.