Beijing with Kids: The Ultimate 5-Day Family Itinerary, Budget & Travel Guide

Beijing with Kids: What to Expect from This 5-Day Itinerary

Imagine walking through the vermilion gates of the Forbidden City in the morning, sharing crisp Peking duck for lunch, and standing on the Great Wall as it disappears across the mountains the next day. Beijing can feel cinematic for children and adults alike, but the city rewards families who plan for distance, advance reservations, and time to slow down.

This five-day Beijing family itinerary is designed for two adults and two school-age children. It combines the city’s headline sights with realistic travel times, convenient hotel areas, child-friendly meal ideas, airport and metro guidance, and three practical budget levels. Instead of racing across Beijing, the route limits each day to one main area and leaves room for meals, rest, and unexpected delays.

The recommended first-trip formula is simple: stay near Wangfujing or another central metro station, reserve the Forbidden City as early as the official booking system allows, dedicate a full day to Mutianyu Great Wall, and keep the final sightseeing day flexible for the Temple of Heaven or Summer Palace.

The walking estimates assume children can manage a typical school-day level of activity. Families traveling with toddlers, older relatives, or anyone with reduced mobility should shorten routes, confirm step-free access, and prioritize private transfers where they meaningfully reduce fatigue.

Prices in this guide are planning estimates in Chinese yuan (CNY). Hotel rates, attraction fees, transport costs, and mobile-payment policies can change, so verify time-sensitive details before booking.

1. How Many Days Do You Need in Beijing with Kids?

Beijing requires more local travel time than many visitors expect. Airport transfers can be lengthy, security checks are common, and the Great Wall is well outside the city center. A three-night trip can cover the headline sights, but the arrival and departure days leave little usable sightseeing time. Families may end up visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall on consecutive high-energy days.

Four nights and five days allows a more comfortable rhythm:

• Arrival day for hotel check-in and an easy dinner
• One day for the Forbidden City and a central neighborhood walk
• One full day for the Great Wall
• One day for the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, or a traditional neighborhood
• Final day for checkout and the airport transfer

If Universal Beijing Resort is a priority, consider at least five nights and six days. Adding a full theme-park day to a compact cultural itinerary significantly reduces rest time.

When comparing flights, look beyond price. A daytime arrival that allows the family to reach the hotel by late afternoon is usually easier than a late-night landing followed by immigration, baggage collection, and a long transfer.

2. Beijing Travel Essentials: Entry Rules, Payments, Internet and Apps

Check entry rules for every traveler

Visa-free access, transit exemptions, permitted activities, passport-validity requirements, and arrival procedures depend on nationality and can change. Check the official Chinese embassy or consulate information that applies to each traveler before paying for non-refundable bookings. Children may have separate documentation requirements even when traveling with parents.

Keep passport originals, return or onward tickets, hotel confirmations, and the accommodation address in Chinese. Save copies offline so they can be shown at immigration, to a taxi driver, or at an attraction if mobile data is unavailable.

Complete the arrival card in advance when available

China’s foreigner arrival card may be completed online where the service is available, or through airport kiosks and paper forms on arrival. Prepare each traveler’s passport details, flight information, accommodation address, hotel phone number, and departure itinerary. Use the official National Immigration Administration service rather than an unofficial form seller.

Official arrival card service: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/entry-registation-home

Time zone, electricity, language and tipping

Beijing uses China Standard Time, UTC+8, with no seasonal daylight-saving change. Flight times are shown in local time at each airport. Check the time-zone setting on all phones before relying on calendar alerts for tickets or tours.

Electricity is 220V at 50Hz. Socket shapes vary, so a compact universal adapter is useful. Check that chargers are marked for 100-240V input before connecting them.

English is not consistently available outside major hotels and tourist sites. Download an offline translation package and save the Chinese names and addresses of the hotel, airport terminal, and attractions. Asking the hotel desk to write the next destination in Chinese can also help.

Tipping is not generally expected in ordinary restaurants or taxis. In high-end hotels or restaurants, check whether a service charge has already been added.

Cash and backup payment methods

A family may wish to keep approximately CNY 500-1,000 in emergency cash, preferably in mixed denominations. Mobile payment is widespread, but a card may fail, a phone battery may run out, or a small business may prefer another method. Carry two internationally enabled cards separately rather than relying on one wallet.

Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before departure

Alipay and WeChat Pay can often be linked to eligible international bank cards. Complete sign-in, identity verification, card linking, password setup, and text-message verification before travel. Test that both adults can access a payment method from separate phones.

International-card transactions may be subject to platform thresholds, service fees, issuer foreign-transaction charges, or temporary promotions. The amount and rules can change, so review the fee shown on the confirmation screen before authorizing payment.

Useful apps

• Payments and booking records: Alipay and WeChat
• Ride-hailing: DiDi
• Maps: Amap/Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps
• Communication: a translation app with offline language files
• Airline, hotel, insurer, and attraction apps used for confirmed reservations

Save attractions under their Chinese names, because an English search may not return the correct entrance or pickup point.

eSIM, roaming or local SIM

International roaming is usually the simplest option. A travel eSIM may offer better value, but first confirm phone compatibility, installation timing, data allowance, tethering rules, voice-number availability, and what happens when the high-speed allowance is exhausted.

Some mainland mobile networks and Wi-Fi connections restrict access to certain international services. Routing differs among eSIM products. Keep at least one primary phone number active for bank or payment-app verification messages.

3. Best Time to Visit Beijing with Kids: Weather and Packing Guide

The most comfortable periods for a walking-heavy family itinerary are often late April to May and late September to mid-October. Major public holidays can bring larger crowds, limited reservations, and higher hotel prices, so check the national holiday calendar before buying flights.

Spring: March to May

Typical monthly mean temperatures rise from about 7.5°C in March to 15.1°C in April and 21.3°C in May. Approximate monthly precipitation is 9 mm, 22 mm, and 37 mm respectively. March can require a warm coat; April suits long sleeves and a jacket; May often works with light clothing plus an outer layer.

Layer children’s clothing so it is easy to remove and replace. Spring wind and occasional dust events can make outdoor conditions feel colder or less comfortable. On poor air-quality days, reduce time outdoors and add indoor breaks.

Summer: June to August

Average temperatures are approximately 25.3°C in June, 27.2°C in July, and 26.0°C in August. Rain is concentrated in summer, with rough monthly totals of 73 mm, 171 mm, and 114 mm. Heat, humidity, intense sun, and thunderstorms can all affect plans.

Schedule outdoor sights in the morning and reserve the afternoon for lunch, rest, or an indoor activity. Pack quick-drying clothing, hats, sunscreen, and refillable water bottles. If heavy rain or thunderstorms are forecast, check Great Wall operating notices before leaving the city.

Autumn: September to November

Average temperatures may fall from about 21.2°C in September to 13.8°C in October and 5.2°C in November. Approximate precipitation is 53 mm, 29 mm, and 14 mm. September may need only a light layer, while November generally requires a warm coat. Do not pack for “autumn” as if all three months have similar conditions.

Winter: December to February

Average temperatures are around -1.0°C in December, -2.8°C in January, and 0.6°C in February, with very low precipitation. Wind and dry air may be more noticeable than snow. Bring an insulated coat, gloves, a hat that covers the ears, lip balm, and moisturizer.

The Great Wall can feel colder than central Beijing. If ice, snow, or strong wind is expected, shorten the route or move the visit. Pair one outdoor attraction with a warm indoor break rather than scheduling several exposed sites in succession.

4. Beijing Airport Transfers for Families: PEK and PKX to the City

Check the airport code on the ticket. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) lies northeast of the center, while Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) lies to the south. Road distance to Wangfujing is roughly 30 km from PEK and about 60 km from PKX. The times below exclude immigration and baggage collection.

PEK Airport Express

The adult one-way fare has historically been CNY 25. The train to Dongzhimen takes about 30-40 minutes, while a full journey to a Wangfujing-area hotel may take 60-90 minutes after transfers and walking. It is reliable during road congestion, but families must manage luggage, station security, transfers, and the final walk.

Published late-evening departure times can change. Verify the current schedule for the correct terminal and remember that connecting metro lines may finish earlier than the airport train.

PKX Airport Express

The standard one-way fare between Daxing Airport and Caoqiao has been CNY 35, with a train time of about 20 minutes. Reaching a Wangfujing-area hotel normally takes much longer, often 70-100 minutes after the metro transfer and walking. “Twenty minutes from the airport” means to Caoqiao, not to a central hotel.

Airport buses

Airport coaches can be convenient when a stop is close to the hotel. Compare the final stop, luggage handling, operating hours, and onward transfer rather than choosing only by fare. If the family still needs a taxi from the bus stop, the total time and cost advantage may disappear.

Taxi or pre-booked vehicle

For planning purposes, a standard taxi to Wangfujing may take about 45-90 minutes from PEK and 60-120 minutes from PKX. A broad estimate is CNY 120-180 from PEK and CNY 180-280 from PKX, but traffic, tolls, night surcharges, vehicle size, and pickup arrangements can change the total.

Four passengers plus four large suitcases may not fit in a standard sedan. Consider a six- or seven-seat vehicle and confirm child-seat availability in advance. For a booked transfer, check flight-delay waiting time, meeting point, driver-contact method, parking charges, and the luggage policy.

Late-night arrivals

Base the decision on the expected time after immigration and baggage collection, not the scheduled landing time. Even if the airport train is still running, the connecting metro may have closed. With tired children, an official taxi rank or a clearly confirmed pickup can be more practical than racing for the final train.

5. Getting Around Beijing with Kids: Metro, Taxis and DiDi

Metro

Beijing’s distance-based metro fare commonly starts at CNY 3 for journeys up to 6 km, then increases by distance. Airport rail lines use separate fares. The metro is economical for a family, but stations may involve long corridors, security screening, lifts that are not on the most direct route, and substantial walking.

Add 10-15 minutes to route-app estimates, check the exit number before leaving the platform, and avoid emerging on the wrong side of a major road with a stroller.

International cards and transport cards

Contactless acceptance for international bank cards has expanded at selected gates and services, but compatibility can vary by card, station, and system update. Use the same card at entry and exit, and do not expect one card to tap several family members through consecutively. Each passenger should have an individual ticket or valid payment method.

Yikatong and BEIJING PASS are stored-value products, not automatic unlimited-ride passes or universal attraction tickets. For a short trip, compare setup, purchase, top-up, deposit, and refund requirements with direct card or ticket use.

Taxis and DiDi

A common published taxi structure starts near CNY 13 for the first 3 km, followed by a per-kilometer rate, with additional charges possible for waiting, slow traffic, long distance, fuel, or late-night service. Confirm the Chinese destination, compare the plate number before entering, and use designated pickup areas.

A practical family strategy is to use the metro for a long morning transfer and take a taxi after sightseeing. Budgeting for a few taxi rides can protect meals, sleep, and the next day’s itinerary when children are tired.

6. Where to Stay in Beijing with Family: Best Areas and Hotels

Choose a hotel not only for sightseeing but also for easy meals and rest. On a difficult day, the ability to eat near the hotel may matter more than saving a small amount on the room rate.

Wangfujing and Jinbao Street: ideal for a first visit

This central area has restaurants, shopping, and convenient access to many inner-city sights. It suits families that want to sightsee by day and eat near the hotel at night. It is busy and not always inexpensive. Check the real walking route from the nearest metro exit rather than relying on the district name.

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing

A practical candidate near Jinbao Street and Dengshikou Station. The location can balance meals and sightseeing for first-time visitors. The Forbidden City entrance still requires a planned transfer; the walls and controlled entrance route make map distance misleading.

Xuanwumen: useful for southern sights and railway connections

Access to Metro Lines 2 and 4 is helpful for Qianmen, the Temple of Heaven, Beijing South Railway Station, and Beijing West Railway Station. Families spending most days around Wangfujing or the eastern side of the Forbidden City may face more daily travel.

JW Marriott Hotel Beijing Central

A potential option for access to the Xuanwumen and Caishikou area. Indoor leisure facilities may make post-sightseeing rest easier, but verify pool hours, age rules, breakfast inclusion, and extra-bed charges. Save the exact Chinese address because several hotels have similar English names.

Guomao and the CBD: best for hotel-centered downtime

Large hotels and shopping complexes make this area attractive in very hot or cold weather. It works for families prioritizing hotel facilities and indoor breaks. It is less efficient for consecutive visits to the Forbidden City and hutong districts.

Kerry Hotel, Beijing

A family-oriented candidate for combining hotel time with nearby shopping and dining. Confirm whether children’s facilities, pools, or play areas are included with the booked room and whether reservations or additional fees apply.

Family-room booking checklist

• Enter the exact ages of both children when searching.
• Confirm maximum room occupancy, not only bed count.
• Check bed dimensions and whether children may share existing bedding.
• Ask whether an extra bed is possible and what it costs.
• Review children’s breakfast charges and lounge-access rules.
• Treat “connecting rooms requested” as unconfirmed until the hotel provides written confirmation.
• Check cancellation deadlines, deposits, city taxes, and payment timing.

7. Best Things to Do in Beijing with Kids

The Forbidden City / Palace Museum (故宫博物院)

For a first visit, the Forbidden City is a top priority. Its gates, courtyards, and ceremonial halls help children understand the scale of imperial architecture. Reserve before the visit. Official policies have stated that same-day tickets are not sold, and reservation windows can open only a limited number of days in advance.

Prepare the passport name and number for every family member. Additional galleries, such as the Treasure Gallery or Clock Gallery, may require separate admission. For children, plan 2-3 hours along the central axis rather than trying to see every exhibition.

Enter through the Meridian Gate in the south and leave through the Gate of Divine Prowess in the north when current visitor routing requires it. If Tiananmen Square is also planned, check its separate access and reservation requirements. The square, Tiananmen Gate, and the Palace Museum are distinct sites.

Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城)

Mutianyu is a popular family option because cable-assisted access can reduce climbing. It lies roughly 70-80 km from Wangfujing, and a one-way drive may take 1.5-2.5 hours depending on traffic. A tour or private car with a confirmed return journey is often easier than arranging transport in stages.

Operating hours for cable cars and other facilities vary by season and weather. Decide both the ascent and descent method before buying tickets because cable car, chairlift, and slide products may not be interchangeable.

The wall still contains steep steps. Turn back while children are still comfortable rather than after they are exhausted. A short, enjoyable section is better than pushing for distance and facing a difficult return.

Temple of Heaven (天坛公园)

The blue roof of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of Beijing’s most recognizable images. A 1.5-2-hour route works well, especially on the day after the Great Wall. Choose the main buildings and the exit gate in advance instead of attempting the entire park. Major monuments may have different hours from the outer park, and some indoor components may close on Mondays.

Summer Palace (颐和园)

The Summer Palace offers lakeside scenery and gardens rather than a sequence of palace courtyards. From Wangfujing, public transport may take about 60-80 minutes. Allow 2-3 hours for a selected route. A combination ticket is not automatically better value if the family will visit only a few areas.

Avoid planning to walk around the entire lake with children. Boat operations are seasonal and weather-dependent, so do not build a route that fails if boats are suspended.

Shichahai and the hutongs (什刹海・胡同)

Shichahai is a useful low-pressure walk between major heritage sites. Public lanes and lakeside areas can be explored at no admission cost, while courtyards, performances, guided activities, and rickshaw rides are separate purchases. Allow 1-2 hours and add a meal or drink when children need a break.

Hutongs are residential spaces as well as visitor areas. Keep noise down, hold children’s hands around bicycles and electric scooters, and ask before taking close photographs of residents.

8. Beijing 5-Day Family Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan

Day 1: Arrive, check in, and take an easy evening walk

Allow roughly 1-2 hours after landing for formalities and baggage, with more time during busy periods. Transfer to the hotel, verify that payment and map apps work, and have dinner nearby. Skip the walk if anyone is tired. An early night makes the Forbidden City easier the next morning.

Day 2: Forbidden City, lunch and rest, then Shichahai

Allow 20-40 minutes from a central hotel to the correct approach point, plus walking and security time. Spend 2-3 hours on the central route. Choose a seated lunch rather than rushing to eat while moving. After a break, drive 20-40 minutes to Shichahai. Drop the afternoon walk if the weather is difficult or the children are tired.

Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall

Leave early. The drive may take 1.5-2.5 hours each way, and the local visit may require 3-4 hours including shuttles, cable-car queues, walking, and lunch. Carry water and snacks and keep the evening free. Avoid booking a distant restaurant or evening show after the return.

Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Qianmen and Dashilan

Travel about 30-45 minutes from Wangfujing to the Temple of Heaven. After the morning visit, continue about 15-30 minutes by road to Qianmen. Have lunch and browse snacks and shops around Dashilan. An early Peking duck dinner can fit well on this day.

If the Summer Palace is a higher priority, replace the entire Temple of Heaven and Qianmen plan rather than combining both. Visiting the Summer Palace and southern Beijing on the same day creates too much transit and walking for many families.

Day 5: Check out and travel to the airport

Aim to reach the airport about three hours before an international departure, then work backward to include the hotel-to-airport transfer and a traffic buffer. Avoid distant sightseeing. If the Forbidden City reservation falls on an unavailable day or cannot be secured, swap Days 2 and 4 or use the Summer Palace as the main substitute.

9. What to Eat in Beijing with Kids: Family-Friendly Local Food

A useful family ordering strategy is to choose two familiar or mild dishes and one new specialty. If a child dislikes the unfamiliar flavor, the meal still works. The prices below are broad planning ranges, not guaranteed menu prices.

Peking duck (北京烤鸭)

A whole duck may cost roughly CNY 200-400. A four-person meal with pancakes, vegetables, sauces, side dishes, drinks, and service can reach CNY 350-600 or more. Ask whether pancakes, condiments, soup made from the bones, and service charges are included. Give children the meat first and add scallion or sauce separately.

Old Beijing zhajiang noodles (老北京炸酱面)

A bowl may cost around CNY 25-45. The fermented soybean-based sauce is different from similarly named noodle dishes in other countries and can be salty. Mix in a little sauce at a time for children. Dumplings or a vegetable dish can make it a simple shared meal.

Hot pot and Beijing-style lamb hot pot (火锅・涮羊肉)

A four-person budget of CNY 250-450 is a reasonable starting point. Ask for clear broth, qingtang (清汤), and specify not spicy, bula (不辣), if required. Order meat gradually. Check sesame, peanut, and other allergens in dipping sauces, and supervise children carefully around the hot pot.

Jiaozi, baozi and jianbing (饺子・包子・煎饼)

Dumplings and steamed buns are easy to share for breakfast or lunch. A plate of jiaozi may cost CNY 25-45, while a jianbing can cost approximately CNY 10-20. Confirm whether the listed unit means one item or one plate. To request no cilantro, say “bu yao xiangcai” (不要香菜).

For food allergies, carry a clearly translated written statement and ask whether the kitchen can prevent cross-contact. “Not spicy” does not mean free of allergens.

10. Beijing Family Trip Cost: 5-Day Budget for Four

The following budgets are planning examples for four nights and five days. They exclude international airfare because departure city, season, baggage, and fare rules vary too widely for a universal estimate. Add confirmed flights to the totals below.

Category	Value trip	Comfort trip	Premium trip
Accommodation, 4 nights	CNY 2,800	CNY 6,000	CNY 10,000
Food, 5 days	CNY 1,500	CNY 2,500	CNY 4,000
Local transport	CNY 700	CNY 1,500	CNY 2,500
Admissions, Wall shuttles/cable transport	CNY 1,200	CNY 1,300	CNY 1,600
Shopping	CNY 500	CNY 750	CNY 1,500
Connectivity, insurance and contingency	CNY 900	CNY 750	CNY 1,100
Estimated land total	CNY 7,600	CNY 12,800	CNY 20,700

How to interpret the three budgets

Value trip: uses lower-cost accommodation, the metro, simple local meals, and tightly controlled shopping. The example hotels in this guide may not fit this level on the chosen dates.

Comfort trip: combines a well-located mid-range or upper-mid-range hotel, one Peking duck meal, metro rides, several taxis, and a convenient Great Wall transfer. This is the most useful starting point for many families.

Premium trip: spends more on hotel comfort, private vehicles, larger rooms, and higher-end meals. Holiday dates, suites, premium guides, and luxury restaurants can push the total higher.

Avoid double counting

If a Great Wall tour already includes the vehicle, admission, internal shuttle, and cable car, do not add each item again under transport and attractions. Confirm the total accommodation cost for all four travelers, not a misleading per-person or double-occupancy rate. Keep contingency funds for insurance, transport changes, medical needs, or replacement essentials.

11. How to Book a Beijing Family Trip and Avoid Common Mistakes

Book with cancellation terms in mind

1. Compare flights and family-room options, including arrival time and cancellation rules.
2. Choose a central hotel or a hotel beside a useful metro station.
3. Mark the Forbidden City ticket-release date and time in the calendar.
4. Reserve Great Wall transport with a clear cancellation and bad-weather policy.
5. Add airport transport once the terminal, landing time, group size, and luggage count are known.
6. Recheck attraction operating notices and weather shortly before travel.

Do not cross the city repeatedly in one day

The Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Mutianyu Great Wall lie in different directions. Group nearby areas, such as the Temple of Heaven with Qianmen, and leave the evening free after the Great Wall.

A stroller is not convenient everywhere

A stroller is useful in airports and malls, but thresholds, underpasses, crowds, and Great Wall stairs may require carrying it or taking a detour. Families with infants may prefer a lightweight stroller plus a baby carrier. Verify step-free routes for anyone with limited mobility.

Protect passports, phones and booking records

Passports may be checked at attractions, so carry them securely and keep copies separately. If a passport is lost, contact local police and the traveler’s embassy or consulate for emergency-document and departure guidance. If a phone or card is lost, freeze payment access and secure accounts immediately.

Store the hotel address in Chinese, family contact details, insurance policy, booking confirmations, and emergency contacts offline.

Use safe, respectful travel practices

Cooperate with security checks, stay behind barriers, and do not touch protected structures. Use official taxi ranks or app-confirmed vehicles. Treat unexpected invitations to tea houses, performances, shops, or currency exchange cautiously until the price and service are clear. In residential hutongs, reduce noise and ask permission before photographing people at close range.

12. Beijing with Kids FAQ

How early should I book the Forbidden City?

Check the official reservation window as soon as travel dates are fixed. Tickets can open only a limited number of days before the visit and same-day sales may not be available.

Is Wangfujing the best area for a family?

It is a strong first-visit choice for central sightseeing, restaurants, and evening convenience. Choose Guomao for more hotel-centered downtime or Xuanwumen for southern sights and railway links.

What should I do if Forbidden City tickets are unavailable?

Try another date, swap itinerary days, or replace the visit with the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, National Museum options where available, or a hutong-focused day. Do not rely on buying Palace Museum tickets at the gate.

Can young children visit the Great Wall?

Yes, if the route is short and cable-assisted, but steep stairs, weather, and long transfers remain. Turn back early and change the date during severe weather.

Can I travel with only a bank card?

Do not depend on one method. Combine mobile payment, at least one compatible international card, a backup card, and emergency cash.

Can four people stay in one recommended hotel room?

It depends on room type, children’s ages, bedding, and fire-code occupancy. Search for the full family and obtain written confirmation for extra beds or connecting rooms.

What should I change on a rainy day?

Move weather-sensitive activities such as the Great Wall first. Indoor attractions may still require outdoor queues and walking, so allow extra time and keep a flexible meal or hotel-rest block.

13. Beijing Family Travel Checklist

• Confirm passport validity and current entry requirements for every traveler.
• Verify PEK or PKX airport code, terminal, and local arrival time.
• Save arrival documentation, return or onward ticket, and hotel confirmation.
• Set a calendar reminder for the Forbidden City reservation window.
• Check Monday closures, child-ticket policies, and passport requirements.
• Confirm hotel occupancy, beds, breakfast, connecting rooms, deposits, and cancellation terms.
• Check airport-vehicle luggage capacity and child-seat arrangements.
• Complete payment-app verification and add backup payment methods.
• Activate roaming or eSIM and preserve access to bank verification messages.
• Save Chinese addresses and booking records offline.
• Review weather, air quality, and Great Wall operating notices.
• Purchase suitable travel insurance and store emergency contacts.

Final Thoughts: Make Five Days in Beijing Memorable, Not Exhausting

Beijing gives families a rich mix of stories, architecture, mountain scenery, and memorable food. Leave space between the grand sights for a shared plate of dumplings, a quiet rest, and the unexpected moments children often remember best. For a first family visit, one or two major places per day is not too slow. It is usually the pace that makes five days in Beijing enjoyable rather than exhausting.