Hi, we'll be in Beijing & Shanghai on 8/31 for 13 days. It is my husband's business trip in Beijing and we extend the trip to Shanghai. Part of the time in Beijing, I will be alone with my 2 kids (2yr- in stroller & 4yr old walking). I'd like to go shopping at the Hong qiao Pearl market & YaXiu. I was told by a friend that I will be a target for pickpocket and best to leave the kids at the hotel. My 2yr old is quite attached to me so I don't think that a strange sitter will work. Am I taking too much risk going shopping or even doing other things w/ just the 3 of us? What are my alternatives? Hire a driver for my shopping hours, may be couple of hrs?
Also, we'll be at the Great Wall Sheraton hotel and I read somewhere that there is good shopping market for China export stuff, not local stuff, close to the hotel. I can't find it anywhere now.
Thanks ahead for all your advice, especially Bchen if she is still checking msgs on Fodor.
Thanks.

The indoor Pearl Market can be extremely crowded. I do not think that it would be a very pleasant afternoon for either you or your children if you tried to explore it together. However, along the main thoroughfares like Chang An Jie, the sidewalks are wide and flat, and strolling is a pleasure. Wangfujing would also be very manageable, as it is a large pedestrian shopping street. Wandering through any of the parks or exploring the hutongs could also be fun outings. I don't think you need to be especially concerned about pickpockets or other safety issues. Just use the normal precautions. One word of warning, however, the traffic is horrendous, and vehicles have the right of way. Hold your child's hand tightly and don't let go! You and your children will have a great time.

Thanks so much Ojudy. I am so glad to hear your response. There is not a lot of feedback for young children on the Asia board thus far(mostly teenager). Do you know if I can bring a double stroller or should I just let my almost 4 yr old walk. These are the side by side umbrella stroller. I would like to walk around the city and the park and a double stroller is best, which will allow more wondering; however, it may be too inhibiting for the streets over there? What do you think? Do you know if the Pearl market open late in the evening or weekends, may be my hubby and I can go w/ the kids ? Thanks.

I'm glad I can be of help to you. Although my children are now grown, once a mother, always a mother!

I think a double stroller is an excellent idea. Your 4-year-old will probably get tired of walking pretty quickly, especially if the weather is hot.

It sounds like you really want to go to the Pearl Market! I don't blame you - it's a fun place to shop. I don't know when it's open, but maybe your husband can babysit while you take a quick trip over by yourself.

would you consider hiring a babysitter from the hotel to go with you on your shopping trips?? also i would have the hotel hire a car for my use...

Hi there -- I'm an expat living in Beijing and I'd actually recommend that you leave the double stroller behind. You won't find many stroller-friendly sidewalks here -- most are narrow, cracked, crowded with parked cars and impassable even for pedestrians. A single stroller will be more manageable -- or perhaps you have a child backpack?

I think Hongqiao closes at 7pm, Yaxiu at 9pm. Like all tourist attractions, go early or late to avoid the crowds. When travelling with the kids I definitely suggest you hire a driver -- taxis aren't equipped to handle carseats (no seatbelts in backseat). I think the suggestion of hiring a babysitter for your shopping expedition is a good idea. Don't worry about pickpockets or other risks -- China is very benign. The most dangerous element here is the traffic.

I have to agree that some of the sidewalks are narrow and in very bad condition, but I would still recommend the double stroller for the major tourist sites, particularly the parks and avenues. There are many lovely areas of Beijing - Bei Hai Park, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, etc. - that are ideal for leisurely walks. I don't think you would regret having the stroller along "just in case".

Thanks everyone for your input. I will look into hiring a driver & a babysitter. The hotel is close to Lufthansa shopping mall. Is it a good idea to buy things/souvenirs there? How much more expensive can it be? I think I can probably take the kids there, just us 3 without problem.
I wasn't planning to bring a car seat along. Is it the law in China? If there is no seat belt, how would you secure the car seat? Thanks.

Nope, carseats are not the law (very few protection laws here!), so if you weren't planning on bringing one, no worries. It's TAXIS that don't have backseat seatbelts, other cars (like the cars on hire from your hotel) have them. I've never been to the Lufthansa center, so can't advise you on shopping there, but at the very least it will be cool and air conditioned.

Enjoyable places to go with children in Beijing include the Beijing Aquarium (at the Beijing Zoo), the Blue Zoo (another aquarium which is also close to the Fundazzle indoor playground), Ritan Park (lovely shady park, with restaurants, fishing, small amusement park for children), and the Summer Palace. If you're staying near the Lufthansa Centre then you'll also not be far from the Lai Tai Flower Market --its big advantage is that it's indoors so quite safe for youngsters. There are tropical fish as well as beautiful flowers. It's next to a pedestrian shopping/restaurant street that includes an Italian and some Chinese restaurants. And if your heart is set on the Pearl Market, you might want to also check out the Toy Market that is very close to the Pearl Market.

Thanks CanadaKate for the wonderful suggestions. They are good things to do when my hubby is working. Can you tell me where is Fundazzle? Also, we plan to go to JinShang park. Do you know how hard is it to get to the top to see the view of the city? Can we stroll the kids up or we have to get taxi? We will be going to the park from Forbidden City. Also, I heard there is boat ride inside the summer palace that the kids can take? Do you have more info on this, like what time it stops. I can't find any info on the web. we are interested in this and not the boat ride to the palace from the city. I love your suggestion for the flower market. I love flowers and the kids will enjoy it too. Of course, the kids would appreciate the toy market. Thanks again.

MomJC,

Fundazzle is on the south side of the Worker's Stadium in Chaoyang District. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the week. It's RMB30 per child for 2 hours. "Kids in Beijing", a fabulous free publication you can pickup at expat haunts in Beijing, says "This cavernous, indoor playground has a huge two-story jungle gym, tampolines and a toddler-area with small cars, swings, see-saws, toy houses and so on."

Sorry, I can't help with the boat ride at the Summer Palace or Jinshang Park. We took the canal boat from the Zoo to the Summer Palace. My daughters did enjoy counting the many steps at Beihai Park [definitely not stroller territory]. As for the Forbidden City, there's not much there to interest children the age of yours, IMHO.

"Supposedly", pickpockets are everywhere in China, especially in the touristy areas. But we've never encountered any. As Judy said, the Hong Qiao Market and Ya Xiu Market can be VERY crowded at times and it's probably too hard to move around in there with kids. But the prices are there are definitely a LOT cheaper than Wangfujing. TONS of good deals!