By Claire Taylor
China Travel for Kids
While many associate China with the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, the truth is that the country has tons of other things to offer, and many are especially geared to kids. From Beijing to Shanghai and other places in between, China caters to families, and those making their way there will find lots to enjoy.
Happy Valley Amusement Park
Best known to locals as Beijing Huanle Gu, this park is China's Disneyland. Expect lots of magnificent re-creations of ancient towns, out-of-this-world roller coasters and themed corners everywhere. The park has six major sections: Wild Fjord, Atlantis, Aegean Harbor, Lost Maya, Shangri-La and Ant Kingdom. Expect lots of thrill rides, 4-D attractions, live shows and costumed characters. Shangri-La is full of water rides and chances to get your hands wet, a great option for the blazing Chinese summers.
Beijing Huanle Gu (Happy Valley Amusement Park)
Xiao Wu Ji Bei Lu
Dong Si Huan, Beijing
+11 (010) 6738-3333
Milu Park
Milu Park (Milu Yuan in Chinese) is an ecological research center, home to many strange and endangered animals, including migratory birds and rodents. Most visitors, however, stop by to spot the Pere David's deer (milu) that inhabit the reservation. This species of deer, almost extinct during the nineteenth century, is now thriving and protected, with over 400 deer having been returned to the wild since 1980. The park, basically a marshland and wetland area, allows the deer to roam free. Used to visitors, they will approach anybody in search of food or just out of curiosity. There are also an exhibition hall, a Worldwide Extinction Cemetery (with tombstones remembering animals extinct due to human intervention) and many benches (inscribed with quotes about the environment in both English and Chinese) where you can sit down and rest before taking to the roads and trails again.
Milu Park
Nan Haizi Milu Yuan
Daxing Qu District, Beijing
+11 (010) 8796-2105
Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum
If you have kids under 10, this is the place to go while in Beijing. A museum dedicated especially to the younger members of the family, the Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum (Shanghai Hudong Ertong Tansuoguan) is a completely hands-on experience that will entertain and teach at the same time. Kids can make their way up to a tree house, shop at the market, become nurses or run a radio station. They can also explore a submarine and learn about electricity. There's also a planetarium, a space hall and a moon hall, and kids can take a part in workshops and craft lessons (in both English or Chinese).
Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum
Yangqu Lu 330
Zhabei, Shanghai
+11 (021) 5688-0844
Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom
Extending over an area of more than 3,000 square feet, this is a kingdom that has it all, including the yuck factor that will impress and delight kids. Expect to see over 200 species, mostly insects and reptiles, as well as frogs, snakes and even a few mammals. Aside from the real-live creatures, expect to find lots of giant insect-like structures, exhibits and unique attractions and halls, including a chance to feed fish or play with turtles.
Shanghai Natural Wild Insect Kingdom
Fenghe Lu 1
Lujiazui, Shanghai
+11 (021) 5840-6950
About the Author:
Claire Taylor is a health, wellness and travel writer with credits in publications such as "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." Taylor is also a seasoned independent traveler, as well as a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant.
Photo Credits:
Vladimir Fofanov
