Family-Friendly Day Trips Perfect For the May Day Holiday

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Staying in Beijing for the May Day holiday but itching to get out and about? Here are some fun day trip recommendations for the whole family to enjoy the wonderful weather this weekend (*fingers crossed).

Longqingxia Gorge

Even if you've been here in winter for the Ice Lanterns, you'll definitely want to revisit Longqingxia Gorge in the warmer months because it is an entirely different landscape. Gone are the desolate arid mountains and frozen lake. In their place cascading green hills and an emerald river transport you to a little slice of nature's paradise!

There's some hiking involved to get to some scenic spots, but even for little ones it's nothing that a little perserverance, plus lots of patience and snacks (there's a little shop on the way), won't overcome. As a reward, you can enjoy a cable car ride, ferry boat ride and a slide for life!

PRO TIP: Dogs are allowed here, though there are a few escalators and the floor of the ferry is metal which was scorching hot in summer for their paws! I had to carry my pooch in my lap on the ferry, which drew some stares.

Find it:
Longqingxia Scenic Area 龙庆峡风景区
Guchengcun, Jiuxianzhen, Yanqing district

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Beijing Back Garden 北京后花园

Forgive its poorly translated name but this massive park in west Beijing has been on my radar for some time because of the huge outdoor rainbow slide that's on my Beijing bucket list!

There are also playgrounds with mildly inclined climbing walls for kids, hot spring pools with fish and boating activities, and plenty of hiking and nature exploration.

Find it:
Beijing Back Garden 北京后花园

Yangfangzhen, Changping district

Survival Island

Less than 60km north of Beijing lies an unassuming park with a more intimidating name – Survival Island. Aside from offering scenic walks, the park features a 15m-tall rock wall and a series of Ninja Warrior-esque obstacle courses over land and water. Kids above 1m are welcome to try any of them, but be warned, there is no lifeguard on duty to fish you out from the murky water if you fall in, nor any ranger to rescue you should you wish to give up halfway through the rope bridge.

For the full review of Survival Island, read our previous post here!

Find it:

Beijing Survival Island Practice Base 

北京生存岛实践基地售票处

6 Hong Luo Dong Lu, Huairou District 

北京市怀柔区红螺东路6号

What are you doing this May Day holiday? Share with us your discoveries of family-friendly places in Beijing in the comments below!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, courtesy of vendors

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