Australia Family's 10-Day Beijing & Chengdu Trip Across Three Generations

It was a gentle spring afternoon when I spoke with Linda from Australia. She was planning a 10-day trip to China with her elderly parents and several lively children, her words filled with anticipation and a hint of apprehension.

"My parents have always longed for Chinese culture, and the kids want to see pandas. Making sure both the seniors and the children are well looked after. I'm just not sure I can manage it all." I realized this was a multi-generational family spanning from age 6 to 75, with distinctly different travel interests.

After our conversation, I quickly brainstormed. Seniors with limited stamina, children bursting with energy, Linda needing to juggle everything - how could I ensure everyone had a great time? A Beijing-Chengdu trip held the answer.

Catering to the Diverse Travel Interests of an Eight-Person Family

Linda's father, Robert, a retired history teacher, had a deep passion for ancient Chinese architecture. Her mother, Margaret, though having difficulty with her legs, insisted on seeing the vermilion walls of the Forbidden City with her own eyes.

As for the two children, eight-year-old Tom was fascinated by the Great Wall as seen in kung fu movies, while six-year-old Lily had saved all her pocket money to buy panda plushies.

I could feel Linda's dual pressure as a daughter and a mother, wanting to fulfill her parents' wishes while ensuring the children had fun.

I spent a full three days meticulously refining the itinerary.

For the Beijing leg, considering the family travel dynamic, I avoided the crowded Badaling section of the Great Wall and chose the more scenic and less crowded Mutianyu. For the Forbidden City visit, I specifically scheduled it for the least crowded time in the morning, arranged for a wheelchair, and secured a seasoned guide who could eloquently share the palace's history in English.

Seeing pandas was, of course, the focus for the children in Chengdu. I specifically timed the visit to the panda base for the morning when the pandas were most active. There was also Mount Qingcheng, where Linda's parents could experience Chinese Taoist culture.

A Fun-Filled Beijing Chengdu Trip for the Whole Family

Finally, the day the trip began arrived. Robert leaned on his cane but stood tall, Margaret lovingly held Lily's small hand, Tom excitedly looked around, and Linda busied themselves with everyone's luggage.

The morning they visited the Forbidden City in Beijing was blessed with perfect sunshine. They were among the first visitors, with early-morning birds flying across the spacious square. Robert stood before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, murmuring, "Exactly as the books describe."

Margaret frequently asked Linda to stop for photos, saying she wanted to show them to her old friends back home. The children, meanwhile, were deeply intrigued by the mythical beasts on the roof ridges, chasing after the guide to ask the name and story of each creature.

On the Mutianyu Great Wall, Tom was as energetic as a little monkey, but at each watchtower, he patiently waited for his grandfather to slowly climb up, proudly pinning the collected badges onto his grandfather's coat.

The panda base in Chengdu, their second stop, brought a delightful surprise. That morning, many half-year-old panda cubs made their first public appearance. Watching them clumsily play, Lily jumped with excitement, and even the usually composed Robert snapped photos non-stop.

A light rain drifted through the early morning air at Mount Qingcheng. We settled the seniors in an old teahouse at the foot of the mountain. The children played with the guide on the mountain paths. Linda enjoyed a moment of leisure, resting with cups of fragrant tea.

On their last night, they had a farewell dinner at a renowned old hot pot restaurant. Tom bravely tried the Sichuan spicy beef, his tongue sticking out from the heat, yet he insisted on having more, making the whole family laugh heartily.

Linda sent me an email after the trip: "This trip was the best experience our whole family has ever had! From the itinerary design to the detailed arrangements, every aspect was impeccable. My parents were extremely satisfied, and the children had so much fun. You not only planned a perfect trip for us but also brought our family closer together. Thank you for making this trip an unforgettable memory for all of us!"

Her father also wrote a special letter: "As an elderly person, I was always worried that traveling would be too tiring, but this itinerary was arranged with such thoughtfulness. The guide's explanations gave me a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and the comfortable transportation and accommodation left me with no worries at all. Thank you for fulfilling my long-cherished dream of visiting China!"

I look forward to creating more precious memories for families in the future!