Four Places Suitable for Traveling with Kids

1. Shanghai — The Dreamy City of Technology and Culture

Must-visit attractions: Shanghai Disneyland is a fairy tale kingdom where kids can interact with Disney characters, enjoy fun rides, and watch fireworks and light shows; Shanghai Science and Technology Museum offers interactive experiences for kids to learn about science, such as the Robot World and Biodiversity Exhibition; Shanghai Natural History Museum features dinosaur fossils and animal specimens, allowing children to experience the evolution of life.

Special food: Shengjianbao with a golden crispy bottom and juicy filling; pork ribs with rice cakes that are crispy outside and tender inside, paired with sweet bean sauce for a unique flavor.

Recommended accommodation: It’s best to choose hotels or homestays near Disneyland, some of which offer free shuttle buses to and from the park and have family-themed rooms.

2. Chengdu — The Cute Panda Homeland

Must-visit attractions: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding lets you see pandas eating bamboo and playing, with early morning being the best time to watch; Wuhou Shrine is a sacred site of Three Kingdoms culture, and the nearby Jinli Ancient Street is brightly lit at night with many snacks; Haichang Polar Ocean Park features dolphin and sea lion shows, and the jellyfish pavilion is very magical.

Special food: Long Chao Shou (spicy wontons), Zhong Dumplings, Dan Dan Noodles, and more, offering a variety of flavors to satisfy different kids’ tastes.

Recommended accommodation: Hotels near Chunxi Road, convenient transportation and abundant local food options.

3. Weihai — A City of Slow Life and Safe Waterside Fun

Must-visit attractions: The International Seaside Bathing Beach has fine sand and clear shallow water, perfect for young children to play in the sand and waves; cycling along Huanghai Road allows observation of coastal erosion landforms; Liugong Island Museum helps kids learn about marine ecology, and at Xiaoshidao you can experience crab catching and shell collecting; the art sculpture group in Weihai Park sparks children’s imagination, and Happiness Gate Square is great for flying kites.

Special food: Pomfret dumplings with tender meat and few bones, a wide variety of seafood that can be bought fresh at the seafood market and cooked on-site, delicious and affordable.

Recommended accommodation: Budget hotels in the city center, around 80 RMB per person per night, offering great value.

4. Yangzhou — A City of Cultural Enlightenment and Garden Exploration

Must-visit attractions: Boat rides on Slender West Lake and the bamboo maze in Ge Garden, where you can explain historical stories to kids through garden architecture; Dongguan Street offers experiences like paper cutting and lacquerware making, and Xie Fuchun Fragrance Factory lets children learn about traditional cosmetics craftsmanship; you can also learn to make San Ding Bao at Fuchun Teahouse and explore Huaiyang cuisine culture at Jiangjia Bridge Dumpling and Noodle Shop.

Special food: Yangzhou morning tea is rich and diverse, including San Ding Bao, Crab Roe Bun, Thousand Layer Cake, and more, with about 20 RMB per person to try various dim sum, plus specialty snacks like Yangchun noodles.

Recommended accommodation: Hostels or budget hotels near Dongguan Street, convenient for travel and affordable.