Beijing
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Welcome to Baba Goes China!
I'm Magda, a travel blogger sharing authentic family adventures in China. Join me as I explore this incredible country with my family and share practical tips, honest reviews, and real experiences to help you plan your perfect China adventure.
AS FEATURED IN
BabaGoesChina.com in Lonely Planet China 2025 Edition
Lonely Planet about Baba goes China:
"The babagoeschina.com blog also has lots of useful tips for travelling in China with kids."
About this site
Hey, I'm Magda! π
δ½ ε₯½ and welcome! My family and I accidentally fell in love with China during a 5-week trip with our daughters (ages 4 months and 2.5 years at the time).
What started as a COVID-postponed dream became our biggest travel obsession. Now we're learning Mandarin, celebrating Chinese festivals, and planning our next adventure.
Why This Blog Exists
Honestly? Planning that first China trip was scary. I couldn't find practical info anywhere and kept wondering things like "Will we find diapers?" (Yes, everywhere!)
So I created the resource I wish I'd had - real advice from a real family who's been there, done that, and loved every chaotic minute of it.
What You'll Find Here
βοΈ Detailed destination guides with real family experiences
πΊοΈ Practical itineraries tested with kids in tow
π¨ Honest recommendations for hotels, tours, and activities
π£οΈ Mandarin learning resources for the whole family
π¨ Cultural insights to enrich your China experience
Trust me, it's easier than you think!
China Travel Essentials
WeChat for Tourists: All You Need To Know (2025)
Step-by-Step Setup & Tips for Using WeChat in China
How to Use DiDi in China
Complete Guide for Foreigners (2025)
Must-have apps for a trip to China (2025)
All the essential apps to make your trip to China as frictionless as possible
China with Kids
Beijing vs Shanghai: Which Chinese City to Visit First (+ Family Tips)
Beijing or Shanghai β which Chinese city should you visit? An honest comparison of culture, cost, vibe, and family-friendliness from six trips to China.
China with Kids: Yes, You Can Do This β Here's How
All-in-one trip planning advice from a family who keeps coming back (6 times and counting!)
A homestay in Tibetan countryside - with children!
Taking a baby and a toddler to a homestay in a village in the countryside near Lhasa
Latest From the Blog
Do You Need a VPN for China? Probably Not (2026)
Everyone tells you to buy a VPN before your China trip. We bought two β and needed neither. Here's what actually works, when you do need a VPN, and why this myth won't die.
Chengdu Travel Guide: Plan Your Trip to Sichuan's Capital (2026)
Everything you need to plan your trip to Chengdu β when to visit, where to stay, what to eat and practical tips from someone who keeps coming back.
Surfing in Hainan: Where to Learn on China's Surf Coast (2026)
Where to surf in Hainan, when to go, and how to learn as a beginner β including the resort with its own artificial wave where we took our first lesson.
Zhangjiajie with Kids: Is It Worth It? (2026)
An honest family take on the Avatar mountains, Glass Bridge and Tianmen with children β what they'll love and what's genuinely hard.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie: Best Areas & Hotels (2026)
Wulingyuan vs the city, plus the best hotels for the Avatar Mountains, Tianmen Mountain and families β top picks from a family that visited more than once.
Zhangjiajie Itinerary: How to Spend 4β5 Days (2026)
A tested 4β5 day Zhangjiajie plan β the Forest Park, Tianmen, the Glass Bridge and the old towns β built on what we got wrong the first time, then fixed.
Best Things to Do in Zhangjiajie: Top Attractions (2026)
The Avatar peaks, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the Glass Bridge, the caves and the shows β what's actually worth your days, from a family who's done most of it.
Plan your Hainan Trip: Travel Guide 2026
An honest guide to Hainan β when to go, how to get around, where to stay, what to do and what to skip β from a family that travelled the island.
Things to Do in Hainan, China (2026)
The best things to do in Hainan β beaches, surfing, rainforest, Li culture and Haikou nights β plus what's worth it and what to skip.
Xi'an Itinerary: How to Spend 2β4 Days in China's Ancient Capital (2026)
A realistic day-by-day plan for 2 to 4 days in Xi'an β what to do each morning, afternoon and evening, with timings, a budget, and tweaks for short trips and families.
Best Things to Do in Xi'an β Must-See Attractions and Local Favourites
Beyond the Terracotta Warriors: the classics, the parks, the shows and the street food that make Xi'an worth your days β with our honest take on what to skip
Xi'an Travel Guide (2026): Plan Your Trip to China's Ancient Capital
Everything you need to plan a trip to Xi'an β when to go, where to stay, and what's actually worth your time β from someone who's been twice