A 7-Day Family Adventure in Beijing & Shanghai: Culture, Landmarks, and Fun for Kids

☀️ August Travel Tips

• August is usually hot in China (30–36°C with high humidity).

• It is also summer vacation time, so popular places like the Forbidden City and the Bund are crowded.

However, if you avoid the busiest times and plan a good mix of activity and rest, you can still enjoy a great trip.

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Beijing + Shanghai 7-Day Family Trip (English-Friendly)

✅ Highlights:

• A great mix of history and modern life, very educational for kids

• Easy to get around: subways, museums, hotels, and many places have English signs or help

• Many food choices: from Chinese snacks to Western fast food

🗓️ Itinerary Suggestion

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing

• Stay in a well-known hotel (like Hilton, Marriott, or Accor)

• In the evening, walk around Wangfujing Street and enjoy the city lights

Day 2: Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Hutong Tour

• Visit the Forbidden City in the morning (you can book an English tour or use a guide app)

• After lunch, go to Jingshan Park for a view of the Forbidden City from the top

• In the evening, take a rickshaw tour around the old hutongs (traditional neighborhoods)

Day 3: Visit the Great Wall (Badaling or Mutianyu)

• Hire a private car or join an English-speaking group (not public bus if you have small kids)

• Mutianyu is better for families – fewer people, newer facilities, cable cars available

• Return to the city for a relaxed evening

Day 4: Summer Palace + Train to Shanghai

• Visit the Summer Palace in the morning (a beautiful royal garden near a lake)

• In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Shanghai (about 4.5 hours)

• Try local snacks for dinner (like Nanxiang soup dumplings)

Day 5: Shanghai Museum + People’s Square + Nanjing Road

• Visit the Shanghai Museum in the morning (some fun areas for kids)

• Walk around People’s Square and go shopping or eat on Nanjing Road

• In the evening, take a river cruise on the Huangpu River to see the lights of the Bund

Day 6: Pudong Day – Science Museum + City Landmarks

• Go to Shanghai Science and Technology Museum (lots of hands-on fun for kids)

• Then visit Oriental Pearl Tower or Shanghai Tower for a view of the city

• Walk around Century Park in the evening

Day 7: Flexible Day / Departure

• If your flight is at night, you can visit Yuyuan Garden + City God Temple Snack Street

• Or walk around Disney Town near Shanghai Disneyland (you don’t need a ticket to enter this area)

🧳 Travel Tips

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Language:

• Most subway stations, airports, and big attractions have English signs

• Useful apps: Google Translate + WeChat (for scanning, paying, calling taxis)

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With Kids:

• Avoid outdoor activities during hot noon hours (11:30 – 15:00)

• Pick hotels with kids’ play areas or swimming pools

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Transportation:

• Take a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai (2nd-class seats are comfy and on time)

• You can also fly, but travel time may be longer with airport trips