Everyone – even younger children – will already be aware of some of China’s top tourism draws, such as The Great Wall and the Giant Pandas (every bit as cute as you think they’ll be). The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and the skyscrapers of modern cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong are also firmly on the tourist radar.

However, we’ll also show you the more ‘hidden’ side to China, and I’m quietly confident that this is what you’ll love most. Our families tell us time and again that it is the unexpected moments – the quiet chat with a monk in a temple or an impromptu walk through a rural village – that they love the most.

Our tailor-made approach means that all of our family itineraries are completely bespoke and designed for you. This means you can enjoy a more relaxed, rewarding and genuinely child-friendly holiday in China than would be experienced on standard tours.

Top 10 things to do in China with kids

Together with my Stubborn Mule colleagues, several of whom have lived or travelled extensively in the region, we’ve selected our 10 favourite experiences in China with kids. Each activity includes age guidance and insider tips and will showcase the many different sides of China.

Also check our companion feature, China Travel Guide for Families, for in-depth answers to every question parents ask us – and more! Remember, we’ll arrange everything for you and provide guides as well as 24/7 support throughout your trip.

1. Yangshuo: Raft or cycle through the karst landscapes

This is one of our customers’ favourite places in China! Meandering rivers weave between steep mountains, with lush vegetation clinging to the sides. Water buffalo plod slowly past, led by farmers in conical hats. Here you can cycle through quiet country lanes, take a leisurely ride on a raft, go tubing down a smaller tributary, or climb to the top of Moon Hill for spectacular views. See our 2-week China Highlights sample itinerary to find out how we can combine Yangshuo with other spectacular places to visit in China with the family.

Best for ages: 6+
The vibe: Rice paddies, lumbering water buffalo and limestone peaks.
Parent tip: We can arrange electric scooters with sidecars or, for a more interactive experience, bike tag-alongs for younger kids.

2. Historic Fuli: Ancient culture immersion

Known as the ‘home of the painted fan’, historic Fuli is a gorgeous place to walk around. Its ancient stone buildings (some preserved from the Qing Dynasty) and riverside location haven’t changed for centuries. Kids love learning to paint their own fans from expert local artists. You’ll even be shown how to write your own name in Chinese calligraphy. It’s a fan-tastic (sorry!) souvenir that actually fits in a suitcase. Read what other families have said about holidaying in China with kids.

Best for: 5+
The vibe: Learn from the master, Fuli’s most famous and revered resident, with 50 years of fan-making experience.
Parent tip: We’ll arrange a special presentation box to keep your souvenir suitcase-safe.

3. Giant Pandas: A more off-the-beaten-path encounter

No trip to China would be complete without seeing its national animal, the Giant Panda! We know that the main centres to see these gorgeous creatures can be crowded, so we take you to a quieter reserve, Dujiangyan Panda Center, about an hour and a half outside of Chengdu. Whilst there are fewer animals here, our families tell us their kids enjoy a far more up-close-and-personal encounter. Children will love these Top Ten Facts about Pandas, complete with irresistible photos.

Best for ages: 6+
The vibe: Conservation rather than zoo
Parent tip: Go early. Pandas are most active during their morning bamboo feast. By 2pm, they are essentially fuzzy black-and-white rocks taking a nap.

4. Trekking Tiger Leaping Gorge: for adventure-seeking teens

“Scenery that blew my mind”, was the feedback from one of our family’s teens when hiking Yunnan’s spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge. Widely regarded as one of China’s best treks, Day One includes a 6-7 hour hike, including the notorious ’28 bends’ (switchbacks), whilst Day Two is a gentler 3-4 hour walk. You’ll be flanked by vertiginous rock on one side, with the Jinsha River (a tributary of the Yangtze) far below. See our Other Places to Visit for more inspiration.

Best for: 12+
The vibe: Bear Grylls meets Tiger Gorge
Parent tip: This is rated “challenging” for a reason. We can arrange mule support for younger teens and you only need to carry a daypack. You’ll stay overnight in a traditional Naxi guesthouse for an authentic rural China experience.

5. China’s Bullet Trains: Experience the future

Safe, comfortable and bang on time, China’s high-speed rail network is a highlight in itself. Travelling at over 300km/h, these trains are smoother than a flight and much more exciting for kids who can meet the locals and stretch their legs. Storage can be limited, so most of our families prefer first-class accommodation. Water is provided in each carriage, and cups and boiling water are provided for free. Did you know that if combined together, China’s railways would loop around the earth twice! For other interesting trivia, inquisitive children will love these 30 Facts About China.

Best for: all ages
The vibe: Ultra-modern high-speed transport
Parent tip: We handle all the ticket bookings (which can be tricky for tourists) and arrange for a guide to meet you right at the platform. You bring pot noodles for the journey!

6. The Great Wall: Turrets, toboggans & sensational views

Not all Great Wall experiences are alike! We avoid the crowded Badaling section altogether, instead offering families with younger kids a section nearer to Beijing (Mutianyu) where you can clamber over the walls and turrets and toboggan (luge) down, which our families say is huge fun! If you have older children and teens, we recommend the Jinshanling section, which has both restored and unrestored sections and truly spectacular views. See our China in 11 days sample itinerary for more.

Best for: All ages (see above)
The vibe: Ancient history meets modern-day intrepid explorer
Parent tip: Go in the early morning and you’ll be rewarded by the best experiences without the crowds.

7. Zhangjiajie: Stunning UNESCO-listed scenery 

You may not recognise the name, but you’ll have seen images of this UNESCO-listed site on TV, Instagram or as the inspiration for Avatar’s ‘Hallelujah Mountains’. Over 3,000 quartz-sandstone pillars pierce the clouds, separated by deep ravines. This is Hunan’s high altitude thrill territory! Don’t miss the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in the Grand Canyon area, or Heaven’s Door cave, cable cars and cliff-side glass walkways. See our When to Go guide for the best time of year to travel.

Best for: 8+ (there’s some walking involved)
The vibe: Jaw-dropping scenery, high altitude thrills!
Parent tip: We recommend 4 full days to get the most out of the natural playground that is Zhangjiajie. The glass bridge was once the world’s longest and highest – it’s not for the faint-hearted!

8. Xian: Meet the Terracotta Warriors

Nothing will prepare you or your kids for the awe-inspiring ancient wonder that is Xian’s Terracotta Warrior Army, no matter what your age. Over 8,000 life-sized clay warriors are found here, created to protect Quin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in the afterlife. It’s a dizzying sight, deserving of the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ moniker and hard to believe they were only discovered in 1974.

Best for: All ages
The vibe: The Eighth Wonder of the World
Parent tip: Our guides know how to navigate the crowds, so you spend less time in queues and more time uncovering the mysteries of the First Emperor.

9. Longji Rice Terraces: hike the Dragon’s Backbone

We find families of every age will be wowed by these staggered rice terraces. It’s a masterpiece of rural engineering, yes, but also some of the most beautiful landscape in China. Said to resemble a dragon’s backbone, as they snake across the mountainsides, the terraces have remained largely unchanged for centuries and offer the perfect mid-trip place to slow your pace down. Staying in a traditional wooden guesthouse, we strongly recommend getting up at dawn, as the local Zhuang and Yao cultures do, to watch the terraces come alive with activity.

For a glimpse of what a family trip here can look like, see one Stubborn Mule family’s China journey in photos, including their time relaxing in rural China.

Best for: 8+ (lots of walking on uneven paths)
The vibe: Rural China at its ancient best
Parent tip: The most popular time to visit the Longji Rice Terraces is October half term, when the rice terraces turn golden ahead of the harvest. Planting begins in May half term, whilst in summer they’re at their greenest.

10. Chengdu: Sichuan cooking for budding chefs

I think Chinese cuisine is some of the best food in the world. Forget the takeaway versions of Chinese food you may know from home – authentic Chinese cuisine is a revelation. In Sichuan province, famous for its bold aromatic flavours and legendary peppercorns, families can join a hands-on cooking class and learn the art of the perfect dumpling fold. It’s an activity that always goes down brilliantly with our customers, both children and adults. And eating your creations together at the end is all part of the fun.

Best for: 6+
The vibe: Messy, hands-on, and surprisingly competitive!
Parent tip: Sichuan food is famous for its heat, but when you’re the chef, you’re in control. We make sure the kids can dial down the spice for their own palates while still learning the authentic techniques. It’s the perfect skill to bring home for a rainy winter night in the UK.

When are the best school holidays to visit China with children?

Given China’s vast size, it’s possible to create a tailor-made family itinerary in China that will suit travel at most times of year.

Generally speaking, though, China is best visited during the spring and autumn – the Easter holidays as well as May and October half terms work well. Summer travel in July and August is also popular, but be prepared for some hot and humid weather!

 Find more in-depth weather information in our When to go to China chart.

Easter holidays (March / April)

1. Springtime begins later in March
2. Beijing: big differences in night and daytime temperatures, chance of a sandstorm from Mongolia
3. Yangshuo: Can still be rainy and cloudy, but getting gradually warmer
4. Sensational weather in rural Yunnan and Sichuan provinces

Summer holidays (July / August)

1. Hot and humid, with a chance of thunderstorms
2. Beijing: It’s hot but the occasional shower will make the air fresher
3. Yangshuo: Hot, but some hotels have swimming pools to help cool off

Autumn holidays (end of October)

1. A great time to visit, with warm days and cooler nights
2. Beijing: Dry, but cooler at night
3. Yangshuo: Dry and autumnal

So, is China good for kids?

Yes, it’s brilliant – with the right planning. Which is where the Stubborn Mule experts come in with first-hand knowledge! We’ve travelled there with our own families and know that holidaying in China with children of all ages works best when:

1. You combine activities with downtime
2. Travel distances are sensible
3. Activities are age-appropriate
4. You mix culture with fun, active experiences
5. You benefit from expert guides to help you get the best out of the country

China is vast and diverse. A well-designed itinerary might combine Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Yangshuo but if time permits, we’ll also add in somewhere more off the beaten track. Perhaps a village in rural Sichuan or Yunnan, depending on your family’s interests and available time.

How we make China easy for parents

In 2026, the biggest barrier to travel in China with kids isn’t the distance, rather it’s the logistics. Here is how we support you:

1. Guided every step: You’ll have local, English-speaking guides who act as translators, historians, menu-readers and crowd-navigators.
2. 24/7 Peace of mind: If a flight is delayed or you can’t find your hotel, our local ground team is a phone call away.
3. Get you China ready! They do things differently in China! Messaging platform WhatsApp doesn’t work here, but the Chinese equivalent, ‘WeChat,’ does. Similarly, AliPay is the preferred payment method (you’ll find many credit cards don’t work or are not accepted in China). We ensure you are set up ahead of time to be China-ready.
4. The best value: Check out our China Pricing Guide for an overview of costs, then ring us for advice based on our extensive experience.

Thinking about visiting China with your children?

Whether your family is dreaming of walking the Great Wall, meeting giant pandas in Chengdu, cycling through the countryside around Yangshuo, or discovering China’s lesser-known corners, we’d love to help. Our team has visited the country many times, working closely with our local guides to ensure you have excellent support every step of the way.

Each Stubborn Mule holiday is tailor-made, so we can create an itinerary that works for the whole family. Give us a call on 01728 752751 during office hours, or get in touch via our website contact form to start planning your adventure.