Before our first trip to China, we were unsure how traveling with children might look like - how much can they really understand from what is going on around them and if they will have any interest in it.
What we discovered was not only could they "handle it", but they often showed genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for what we shared with them.
In this article:
Visiting Cultural Attractions with Kids in China: A Practical Guide
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Planning cultural activities with kids in China requires a thoughtful approach! By considering timing, pacing, and interactive elements, you can create a balanced and engaging itinerary that suits young travelers' needs:
Research attractions in advance to avoid peak times and long queues
Limit cultural activities to 2-hour chunks with breaks in between
Choose interactive venues like museums with hands-on exhibits
Balance "serious" sightseeing with playground or park visits
Plan cultural activities for mornings or after naps
Stay flexible and be ready to change plans based on children's moods
BEST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS IN CHINA
China is packed with fun, family-friendly activities that kids will love! Interactive museums, lively festivals, cultural performances, libraries with cool kids' sections, and more.
There’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained while exploring the country's rich culture:
Family-friendly cultural performances
Interactive museums with mixed media
Libraries with children's sections
Outdoor cultural events and festivals
Museums with dedicated children's areas
SUCCESS STRATEGIES
Making the most of family trips is all about preparation and being ready to adjust your plans, let's see how to plan the perfect experience with them:
Talk about the destination beforehand to build excitement
Actively engage children with questions and explanations
Follow up at home with photos and related activities
Choose informal venues where early exits are possible
Prioritize experience quality over "must-see" status
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Essential Preparation
It is a good idea to be prepared - as an adult, you might not mind as much standing in a long queue just because you showed up 30 minutes later than you planned, but with children, this is what will make or break your day.
Avoid visiting attractions in peak season when queues are prohibitively long.
It's recommended to check in advance if there are any activities for kids - this usually makes the experience easier and more fun.
Daily planning
Children are explorers and learning machines, but it only lasts when it lasts. It is important to factor in breaks, and not to do more than 2 hours all at once.
Here's how to structure your day for success:
Morning Activities
Start early when kids are fresh and attractions are less crowded
Plan your main cultural activity for the morning (ideally 9-11 AM)
Include a mid-morning snack break
Have a backup plan ready in case energy levels drop
Afternoon Approach
Schedule lunch and rest time (or nap for younger children)
Choose lighter activities for after lunch
Consider outdoor activities where kids can move freely
Leave room for spontaneous exploration
Evening Options
Cultural performances and shows often work well in the early evening
Keep dinner times consistent to maintain routine
Choose venues close to your accommodation for evening activities
Plan quieter activities as the day winds down
BONUS: Timing Tips
Break up cultural visits with physical activities
Allow 15-30 minute breaks between different attractions
Plan transportation time realistically - shorter journeys work better
Keep meal times consistent with your usual routine
Remember that each child has their own rhythm - some might be morning people, others might be more energetic in the afternoon. Adjust these suggestions to match your children's natural patterns.
BEST ATTRACTIONS FOR KIDS IN CHINA
While there are no strict rules about what each child might enjoy doing (except for places that actually have age limits), there are certain types of places and activities that work best.
Family-friendly shows and performances that involve dancing, singing, and fancy dress are usually a hit with kids as young as 18 months old (or at least with our 18-month-old at the time).
If you want to visit an art museum, you should go for those with mixed art forms that include sculptures, video recordings, and installations. Paintings might be harder to understand for younger kids, plus the constant "do not touch" command can irritate them quite quickly.
It is a good idea to pick places with an informal atmosphere, where you are able to leave whenever you need to.
By Age Group
18 Months - 3 Years
Family-friendly shows with music and movement (15-30 minutes ideal)
Open spaces like the Temple of Heaven's courtyards
Interactive museum sections with lights and sounds
4-6 Years
Cultural performances with story elements (30-45 minutes)
Museums with hands-on exhibits
Libraries with children's programs
Short guided tours (under 1 hour)
7+ Years
Longer performances and shows
Art museums with mixed media
Historical sites with engaging stories
Interactive technology exhibits
ENGAGING YOUNG MINDS
I personally believe you can make kids curious about almost anything - but you need to play an active part.
I recommend talking to them about the place you intend to visit and frame it as a big adventure.
During sightseeing, actively point at different things. Welcome every "what" and "why" question - there is a chance they will not understand many aspects of the place and what they are looking at, so this is your chance to capture their attention.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
To ensure everyone stays in a good mood throughout the day, ensure you don't overdo it with sightseeing.
We always try to keep a good balance between activities that require full attention with typical kids' fun - like going to a playground or to a park. Usually doing sightseeing in the morning or after a good nap in the afternoon is a good idea.
You should always evaluate the mood the kids wake up in, and as long as it is not an activity that requires planning for a certain time, keep it flexible.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
While the term "must-see attraction" appears often in guidebooks and on blogs, with children nothing is really a "must-see".
While visiting the Great Wall of China or Terracotta Warriors might be a highlight for adults, if it means long queues, crowds, or a really long journey, it might be a no-go with kids - at least if you don't want the day to finish in tears.
It is important to always not only consider the objective cultural value of the experience but also how the actual day might play out.
Children are not patient and have short attention spans. They respond badly to hunger, heat, tiredness, and boredom. You need to consider all those factors when planning a visit, no matter how much you personally want to go.
For that reason, we still haven't seen some major tourist attractions in Beijing (like the Forbidden City or the Great Wall of China) because we simply didn't think the overall experience would be rewarding.
➜ We had a wonderful time spending an afternoon in Beijing City Library or exploring the Temple of Heaven.
Prepare to be flexible, and try not to plan too far in advance, as moods change quickly and you simply don't know what kids will be ready for each and every day.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS WITH KIDS IN CHINA: OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
We had a very good experience visiting all types of cultural performances in China.
In recent years, China has invested heavily in high-quality tourism and promoting culture, and in virtually every tourist destination there are a number of ticketed shows as well as outdoor dancing and music.
For example:
Xi'an: the TuoLing Legend show kept our 4-year-old engaged for the full hour
Shenzhen: the Museum of Urban Planning's interactive city model fascinated both toddlers and preschoolers
Changsha: Hunan Museum's light exhibition was perfect for our 18-month-old
Beijing: Beijing City Library has a children's section and "Metaverse" exhibition that work well for all ages
KEEPING THE KIDS ENGAGED: BEYOND THE ATTRACTIONS
Children might have a good memory, but it is short-lived. Here's how to extend the learning:
At Home Activities
Create a photo book of your adventures
Practice simple words learned during the trip
Cook dishes you tried together
Create crafts inspired by visited museums
Play folk music inspired by places you visited
Watch age-appropriate videos about places you visited
Maintaining the Connection
Attend local cultural festivals
Read children's books that talk about places you visited
Keep in touch with friends made during travels
For me and my family China has turned into a long-term project. We make sure we attend Chinese festival celebrations back home in Europe, we have plenty of Chinese picture books, my kids and I started learning Mandarin, and I document our experiences on my blog.
So my feeling is that if you have a personal passion for a certain type of art or activity, and you talk to your kids about it often, they will follow your lead and also become interested.
The world is an exciting place, it is worth helping your kids discover it!
FINAL RECS
Time to wrap up what we have learned: traveling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful—just keep it simple and fun! Here's a bunch of final suggestions for you:
Start small: begin with shorter visits to build confidence
Stay flexible: be ready to change plans based on interest
Document everything: photos and videos help maintain memories
Follow their lead: let children's curiosity guide some experiences
Make it relevant: connect experiences to things they know
Keep it fun: maintain a balance between learning and play
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