Amusement Parks

The China outpost of American amusement park Universal Studios.

Beijing’s oldest theme park, opened in 1986, Shijingshan will please younger kids, though some of its rides are looking rather tired.

Prices: RMB 10 (from Apr 1), RMB 5 (children), free for kids under 1.2m

Home to a number of venues (including the MasterCard Center) that cater to different hobbies and interests.

A fun-filled adventure room where young ones can run free. This special child-friendly zone comes complete with vertical-drop slides, ball pools, multiple climbing frames and a spectacular tree-house.

If your interest in non-Han cultures is piqued, head off to the China Ethnic Culture Park, whose name was once famously mistranslated as formerly
mistranslated as“Racist Park”. Really.
This 50 hectare-complex features the “traditional
dwellings” of 44 (and counting) of China’s 56 offically-recognized ethnic minorities, some of which have been transported brick and stone from far-flung regions.

Next door to the Bird’s Nest, and affectionately
referred to as the “Water Cube”, this USD 200 million Australian-designed structure is regarded as the perfect yin to the Bird’s Nest’s yang – a comforting "curvy" contrast to the rigidity of the stadium. Drawing inspiration
from nature, the bubble-wrapped exterior answers an old physics problem about how to fill space most efficiently (the answer: two bubbles of equal volume but different shape). Bubbles also make for sleek earthquake-proof
construction, without the need for obtrusive concrete or structural beams.

Fans of kitsch will dig this big, clean wave pool that also has a "beach" (small and muddy), food stations and water slides. The pool entry fee provides unlimited use on weekdays and three hours on weekends.

Beijing's largest outdoor theme park.