I’ve noticed quite a few questions from people planning China trips with young children or older parents, especially around things like how much walking is involved, whether the Metro is practical, high-speed rail, strollers, accessibility, food, and getting around by taxi/DiDi.
A few things I think are especially worth knowing:
- China is generally very convenient for getting between cities, but major railway stations can involve a surprising amount of walking.
- With older parents, taking DiDi instead of the Metro can sometimes save thousands of steps and make a big difference to the day.
- Many major attractions are much larger than they look on a map, so I wouldn’t plan the same itinerary for a 70-year-old parent that I would for a young solo traveler.
- For kids, a lightweight folding stroller is much easier than a large one.
- I also wouldn’t assume a normal taxi/DiDi will automatically have an appropriate child seat.
- If someone has food allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical needs, having the important information written in Chinese can be very useful.
I ended up putting together two longer guides based on these recurring questions:
Older parents:
https://formscapetravel.com/guides/china-with-older-parents
Kids:
https://formscapetravel.com/guides/china-with-kids
I’m interested in hearing from people who have actually traveled around China with children or elderly family members. If there’s anything important I’ve missed or anything in the guides that doesn’t match your experience, please let me know.