China with Kids

China is easy to travel with children: people are warm toward kids, trains and metros are clean and frequent, and baby supplies are easy to find in big cities. What catches families out is paperwork, since every child needs a passport for tickets, sights and hotels, along with distances, summer heat and the language. Plan these before you fly and a family trip goes smoothly.

Passports for children in China: every child needs one

Every child traveling to China needs their own passport, including babies. Visa-free entry and visa rules apply to each child according to their own passport, so check each one in the visa checker.

The child’s passport is also their ID inside China:

• Hotels scan every guest’s passport at check-in, children included, to complete police registration.
• Train tickets are real-name, so a child’s ticket is booked with the child’s passport number.
• Sights with real-name reservations usually need each child added by passport number, even when the child enters free. See Booking sights.

Carry all the family’s passports to every booked sight and every station. A photo of a passport is usually not accepted at the gate.

Check before you go: If one parent is a Chinese citizen, different nationality and travel-document rules may apply to the child. Ask the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves your country well before you travel.

Child tickets in China: trains, sights and metros

Child fares in China are set by each operator, and the rules differ. Some go by the child’s age, others by height, and very young children often travel or enter free when accompanied by an adult.

• High-speed rail: China Railway sets the child-fare rules nationwide. Check the current rules on Railway 12306 (12306.cn) and add the child as a passenger when you book. See how to book a train ticket.
• Sights: each sight sets its own child and student rules. The official booking page or mini program shows the ticket types.
• City metros: each city sets its own rules for when a child needs a ticket.

Check before you go: Child ticket rules, including any height or age thresholds, vary by operator and change. Check 12306 for trains and each sight’s official booking channel before you go, and keep the child’s passport on you to prove age.

Strollers on China’s metro and streets

A light, folding stroller works well in Chinese cities, but bring a baby carrier too. Sidewalks can be uneven, crowded or blocked by parked bikes, and old areas such as Beijing’s hutongs have curbs and steps.

Using a stroller on the metro in China:

• Newer metro lines and stations usually have elevators; older stations may have one only at some exits. Look for the elevator symbol on station maps and exit signs.
• Every metro station has a security check. Staff may ask you to put the stroller through the scanner or check it by hand.
• Avoid rush hours. Carriages get too full to bring an open stroller on board.

Large sights involve long walks, and some have stairs, high thresholds and stone paving. A carrier is often easier than a stroller at the Great Wall or in old temples.

High-speed rail in China with children

High-speed trains are often the most relaxed way for a family to travel between Chinese cities. There are no seat belts or turbulence, children can walk the aisle, and there is hot water on board for bottles, instant noodles or tea.

Tips for taking a high-speed train in China with kids:

1. Book all the family’s tickets in one order so the seats are more likely to be together.
2. Arrive early. Stations are big, with an ID check and a bag scan at the entrance.
3. Fold the stroller before boarding and put it on the luggage rack or at the end of the car.
4. Bring snacks and something to do. Food is sold on board, but choice is limited.

Many large stations have a mother-and-baby room (母婴室 mǔyīng shì) for feeding and changing. See Getting around for stations and boarding.

Food for children in China

Children usually find plenty to eat in China. Dumplings, steamed buns (包子 bāozi), noodles, fried rice, congee and fruit are easy wins, and Western fast-food chains are found in every big city. Dishes are made for sharing, so order a few for the table and let children pick, and ask for food that isn’t spicy: 不要辣 bú yào là. Tap water in China isn’t for drinking straight from the tap; use bottled or boiled water for drinks and bottles.

For ordering and allergies, see Food and ordering and Vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergies.

Diapers, formula and baby supplies in China

Diapers (纸尿裤 zhǐniàokù) and baby formula (奶粉 nǎifěn) are sold in supermarkets, many convenience stores and mother-and-baby shops (母婴店 mǔyīng diàn) in Chinese cities. Imported brands are common in big cities, but your usual brand may not be there.

• Bring enough of your usual formula for the first days, especially if your child is sensitive to a change.
• Pack children’s medicines you trust, such as a fever reducer, because brands and dosing forms differ in China.
• Malls, airports and big stations often have mother-and-baby rooms with changing tables.

Hotels in China with children

Many hotel rooms in China are sized for two adults, and a family room or connecting rooms can be limited. Check the bed setup before you book and ask for a crib (婴儿床 yīng’ér chuáng) in advance if you need one.

Every child’s passport is scanned at check-in, and the in-room electric kettle is handy for bottles. See Hotels and registration.

Heat, air and health for kids in China

Summer heat in China is hard on children. Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai can all be very hot in July and August. Plan outdoor sights for early morning, rest in the afternoon, and bring sun hats, sunscreen and plenty of water. In northern China in winter, check the air quality each morning and plan indoor days when it’s poor.

For medical care, big cities have international clinics and children’s hospitals; ask your hotel or travel insurer which is nearest. Make sure your insurance covers every child. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about routine vaccinations before the trip. In an emergency, call 120 for an ambulance. See Health and safety.

Keeping kids found in China: a card in Chinese

Crowds at sights and stations in China are large, so give each child a card in Chinese that someone can read if you get separated. Put it in a pocket, not a bag. A simple card might read:

你好！我叫 。我和爸爸妈妈走散了。请给他们打电话：。我们住在 ____ 酒店。谢谢！ Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào ____. Wǒ hé bàba māma zǒusàn le. Qǐng gěi tāmen dǎ diànhuà: ____. Wǒmen zhù zài ____ jiǔdiàn. Xièxie! “Hello! My name is ____. I’m separated from my mom and dad. Please call them: ____. We’re staying at ____ hotel. Thank you!”

Write the phone number in international format with the country code. Many travel eSIMs are data only, so give a number that can actually take calls in China, such as your roaming home number or a Chinese SIM. Add the hotel name in Chinese characters; the address card makes one.

Take a photo of each child every morning to show what they’re wearing, and agree on a meeting point at every sight. If a child goes missing in China, tell staff at once and call 110 for the police. “My child is missing” is 我的孩子不见了 wǒ de háizi bú jiàn le. The emergency tool and phrases have more to show someone who can help.