SEO-Optimized Article: 2019 Spring Festival Beijing Travel Guide – A Warm Journey Through a Freezing Winter with Parents

Meta Description: Plan a memorable Spring Festival trip to Beijing with parents? Discover our 7-day itinerary, tips for cold weather, must-see attractions like the Forbidden City & Mutianyu Great Wall, and how to enjoy Peking duck like a local.

Introduction: A Southerner’s First Northern Winter with Family

When you’ve spent your whole life in the warmth of southern China, the idea of a Spring Festival trip to Beijing in sub-zero temperatures can feel daunting. But for my parents—who had never seen snow—it was a dream come true. In 2019, I finally made that dream happen: a 7-day journey through Beijing, followed by 2 days in Tianjin, all during the coldest, most magical time of the year.

This guide is for anyone planning a Spring Festival family trip to Beijing, especially if you’re from the south and worried about the cold. We’ll cover everything from Beijing winter travel tips to Forbidden City tickets, Peking duck restaurants, and how to survive the dry northern air. Let’s dive in.

Itinerary Overview: 7 Days in Beijing – A Parent-Friendly Pace

This trip was designed for leisure travel with parents, meaning we kept the pace slow and focused on comfort. Here’s the full Beijing Spring Festival itinerary:

Day 1: Fly from Guangzhou to Beijing → Night views of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube (first snowfall!)
Day 2: Summer Palace → Nanluoguxiang Alley → CCTV New Headquarters → The Place shopping center night views
Day 3: Forbidden City → Wangfujing Pedestrian Street night views
Day 4: Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) → Sijiminfu Roast Duck Restaurant → Tiananmen Square
Day 5: Beijing Grand View Garden → Xiju Live House for crosstalk (相声)
Day 6: Mutianyu Great Wall full-day tour
Day 7 (morning): Temple of Heaven (second snowfall!) → Beijing South Railway Station → High-speed rail to Tianjin

[Link: How to plan a family-friendly Beijing itinerary]

Pre-Trip Preparation: Tickets, Accommodation, and Attraction Planning

Major Transportation Bookings

For a Spring Festival trip to Beijing, advance booking is non-negotiable. Here’s what I booked ahead:

Flights: Guangzhou → Beijing, Tianjin → Guangzhou
High-speed rail: Beijing → Tianjin (only 30 minutes)
Forbidden City tickets – must be purchased days in advance during Spring Festival
Xiju Live House tickets (crosstalk performance)
Mutianyu Great Wall day tour (via Mu Bus)

Pro tip: During Spring Festival, Forbidden City tickets sell out fast. Book on the official website at least 5–7 days in advance.

Hotel Selection: Finding a Triple Room in Beijing

Finding a Beijing hotel for family travel with a triple room during Spring Festival is tricky. Prices are high, and options are limited. I used Ctrip’s guest filter to shortlist hotels, then narrowed down by ratings and price. I settled on:

Beijing Renhexuan Hotel (first three nights)
Jintai Zhijia (Beijing Jinsong Branch) (last three nights)

Important reminder: Always call the hotel to confirm your reservation after booking online. Some hotels may overbook during peak season.

Attraction Distribution Tips

When planning, I drew a simple map of attractions and hotels. Here are key takeaways:

Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan are next to each other but far from the city center. Visit them on the same day. Skip Yuanmingyuan if history isn’t your thing.
The Great Wall requires a full day. Choose Mutianyu over Badaling—it’s less crowded, more scenic, and often visited by heads of state.
Bird’s Nest and Water Cube are best seen at night. If you visit Mutianyu, check if the tour bus drops you off nearby.
Tiananmen Square – visit in the afternoon but go early to avoid being cleared before the flag-lowering ceremony.
Temple of Heaven is in the southern part of the city center and fairly standalone.
Forbidden City has benches for resting; Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall have few seating areas. Bring a folding chair.
Beijing has the cheapest ticket prices in China – bring any discount passes you have.

[Link: Best time to visit Beijing attractions]

Food Guide: How to Properly Enjoy Peking Duck and Local Snacks

Traveling with parents means sticking to warm, familiar meals with rice. For this trip, I arranged only two special food experiences: Peking duck and snacks from Huguosi Temple.

Which Roast Duck Restaurant to Choose?

Beijing’s most famous roast duck restaurants are Quanjude, Sijiminfu, and Bianyifang. Quanjude has the biggest name but poor value for money. I chose Sijiminfu Roast Duck Restaurant, highly recommended by a friend. The chefs at all Beijing roast duck restaurants trained at Quanjude—it’s the “Whampoa Military Academy” of roast duck.

Strong suggestion: Arrive when the restaurant opens around 10 a.m. If you’re late, you’ll face a long wait.

Where to Find Authentic Snacks?

Our tour guide warned: “Don’t go to those shopping streets. Anything labeled ‘Old Beijing’ is fake.” Instead, visit Huguosi Temple Snack Chain – a state-run chain offering every Beijing snack at reasonable prices. The most distinctive item is 豆汁 (douzhi), fermented mung bean juice that tastes like sour soup.

[Link: Best Peking duck restaurants in Beijing]

Weather and Clothing: A Southerner’s “Four Treasures” for Winter

For a first-timer in the north, Beijing winter weather is the biggest challenge. During our trip, temperatures stayed below freezing, with a low of -9°C (16°F).

Stay Informed

A week before departure, I followed the WeChat accounts “Beijing Weather” and “Beijing Tourism” to monitor changing conditions.

What to Wear – The Four Treasures

Beyond your usual winter clothes, southerners heading north absolutely need the Four Treasures:

Thick hat
Thick scarf
Thick gloves
Thick mask

None are optional. Trust me.

Dryness Hacks

The north is extremely dry, especially when there’s no snow. Besides drinking more water and using lotion, here are three practical tips:

Bring a small humidifier for your hotel room.
Sprinkle water on the floor around your bed before sleeping.
Hang laundry dripping wet – it’ll be mostly dry by the next day.

[Link: How to survive Beijing winter as a southerner]

Transportation Guide: Practical Tips for Beijing During Spring Festival

Beijing is packed with tourists during Spring Festival, and temple fairs cause traffic restrictions around attractions. Leave early whenever possible.

Recommended Transportation (Ranked)

Taxi (most recommended): Base fare 13 yuan + 1 yuan fuel surcharge. Use Didi (China’s Uber). Most convenient for families.
Bus (backup): Not too crowded during Spring Festival and cheap. Buy a Yikatong (transportation card) for distance-based fares – around 0.5–1 yuan per person, versus 2 yuan with coins.
Metro: Efficient but crowded. Avoid during peak hours.

Pro tip: During Spring Festival, some metro lines may have adjusted schedules. Check the Beijing Metro app for updates.

[Link: Beijing transportation during Spring Festival]

FAQ Section

1. Is Beijing worth visiting during Spring Festival?

Absolutely. The city is beautifully decorated, crowds are manageable (except at major attractions), and you might catch snow – a rare treat for southerners. Just prepare for cold weather and book tickets in advance.

2. How do I get Forbidden City tickets during Spring Festival?

Tickets must be purchased on the official Forbidden City website at least 5–7 days in advance. They sell out quickly, so book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

3. What should I wear for a Beijing winter trip?

Layer up with thermal underwear, a thick sweater, and a windproof jacket. Don’t forget the Four Treasures: hat, scarf, gloves, and mask. Also bring moisturizer and lip balm.

4. Which Great Wall section is best for families?

Mutianyu is the best choice for families. It’s less crowded, more scenic, and has cable cars. Badaling is more famous but packed with tourists.

5. Can I find vegetarian food in Beijing?

Yes, but it’s not as common as in the south. Many restaurants offer vegetable dishes, and you can find vegetarian options at Buddhist temples like Yonghe Temple. For Peking duck, request a vegetarian version (some restaurants offer it).

Conclusion: A Warm Journey Through a Freezing Winter

This Spring Festival family trip to Beijing was a challenge I’ll never forget. From the first snowfall at the Bird’s Nest to the second at the Temple of Heaven, every moment was worth the cold. My parents, who had never seen snow before, were as excited as kids. The Great Wall under clear skies, the Forbidden City’s grandeur, and the warmth of a shared Peking duck dinner – these memories will last a lifetime.

Your turn: Ready to plan your own Beijing winter travel adventure? Start by booking your flights and Forbidden City tickets today. And don’t forget the Four Treasures – your nose will thank you.

[Link: Plan your Spring Festival trip to Beijing]

Have you traveled to Beijing during Spring Festival? Share your tips in the comments below!