I've personally tested this in a city where it's not tiring; it's worry-free and leg-saving when taking care of kids.
The worst thing about traveling with a baby isn't the child getting tired, it's the adults collapsing from exhaustion first. This time, I chose eight cities with the main focus on "easy travel for adults and fun for kids": either plenty of flat terrain so you don't have to carry them, or the shuttle buses and cable cars in the scenic areas are well-connected, or you can easily spend an afternoon playing in the water and mud. From personal experience, it's so much more comfortable than going to crowded popular tourist spots.
NO.1 Taizhou | Jiangsu
Zhenhu Wetland Park is the most stroller-friendly wetland I've ever seen. The boardwalk is completely flat, and you can push a stroller the whole way without any bumps. Upon entering, you take a boat ride; the lake breeze will quickly lull your child to sleep, giving adults a chance to rest. I highly recommend the section where you take a rowboat into the reed beds. The boatwoman hums a tune, water birds fly past the bow, and when your child wakes up, they can lie on the side of the boat watching the water plants. After getting off the boat, don't rush off. The wetland experience hall has live jellyfish and Chinese sturgeon; it's cool indoors, and you can stay for half an hour. Lunch was at a fishing village near the scenic area entrance. We ordered fish cakes and shrimp balls from the Zhenhu Eight Delicacies, and the kids ate two bowls of rice with them.
⚠️ Tour groups start arriving after 3 PM, so it's best to arrive before 10 AM.
🚄 It's about a 40-minute taxi ride from Taizhou Station, stopping directly at the scenic area gate without needing to transfer.
NO.2 Baoshan|Yunnan
The most surprising part of the trip was Tengchong. It wasn't as strenuous as traditional mountain climbing. Yunfeng Mountain has a cable car that goes directly to the halfway point, and the remaining steps are gentle enough for a five-year-old to walk on their own. The sea of clouds at the summit had the kids exclaiming the whole way. There's also a cable car down, and the whole trip takes about three hours. I recommend staying overnight in Heshun Ancient Town. After 5 PM, the tour groups leave, and the washing pavilions by the rice paddies are truly yours to enjoy. Take the kids to Wild Duck Lake to feed the fish; two yuan worth of fish food will keep them entertained for half an hour. Beihai Wetland is best visited in the morning. Walking on the grass rafts is a favorite with kids; the soft, sponge-like surface is wonderful. However, be sure to wear non-slip shoes, as water can get into the gaps in the rafts. Don't bring a stroller to Tengchong Volcano Hot Sea Tourist Area; there are many steps. Older children will be captivated by the bubbling sulfur springs.
🍜 Songhua cake in the ancient town is worth buying; it's only five yuan a piece and sweet but not cloying.
⚠️ Boiled eggs sold at the entrance of the Hot Sea Scenic Area are twice as expensive as inside; buy them inside.
NO.3 Yulin|Guangxi
Darongshan National Forest Park is seriously underrated. The Lotus Scenic Area here has vast alpine meadows where children can run freely, unlike those mountains where you have to carry them the whole time. You can drive directly to the mountaintop camping area, saving you the climbing part, which is crucial for families with young children. I recommend hiking a section of Jiupu Valley; it's two kilometers long with a gentle slope, and the path is full of waterfalls and pools with cool water—perfect for splashing in the summer. I arrived that afternoon, and the entire valley was practically empty except for our family of three. There were even small shrimp in the water, and my child spent half an hour catching them and didn't want to leave.
⏰ The best time to visit is two days after a rain, when the waterfall's flow is stronger and the pools are crystal clear. There are no restaurants in the mountains, so bring your own food. Hot water is available at the campsite.
🚄 It's about an hour's drive from Yulin city. The mountain roads are winding, so drive slowly. If your child is prone to motion sickness, apply motion sickness patches beforehand.
NO.4 Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Guizhou
I call the Libo Zhangjiang route a "water paradise." The section near the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge is the most crowded. I recommend taking the sightseeing bus directly to Wolongtan and walking downhill from upstream—it's a gentle downhill walk. The shallow beach below the Cuigu Waterfall is a children's paradise; the water is ankle-deep and crystal clear, so you can safely wade in. Be sure to bring spare clothes and river trekking shoes; children will definitely get wet, and the disposable raincoats sold in the scenic area are ineffective. Enjoy a boat ride on Yuanyang Lake to see the floating forest. The boats are hand-rowed, but the lake is calm, making for a very comfortable and leisurely drift.
⚠️ After 2 PM, tour groups flock to the scenic area, making Wolongtan incredibly crowded. You must rush there as soon as it opens at 8:30 AM.
🍜 Try the Libo sour pork sold at the entrance. Children might find it too sour, but adults will enjoy the fermented flavor.
NO.5 Xiangyang|Hubei
Gulongzhong is more suitable for families with children than I expected because it's a flat area, requiring no climbing. The bamboo forest around Sangutang is photogenic, and kids can play hide-and-seek inside. I highly recommend watching the live performance at the Caolu Theater, with shows at 10 AM and 3 PM daily, telling the story of Zhuge Liang's life of farming. It features horses and fireworks, keeping children captivated. Don't miss the stele corridor next to the Hexagonal Well; the steps are low, making it a perfect place to rest. At noon, head to the Gulongzhong Food Street, not far from the scenic area. Xiangyang beef noodles with yellow wine are the standard accompaniment; choose the non-spicy version for the kids.
⚠️ The last shuttle bus in the scenic area departs at 5:30 PM, so don't forget the time.
🚄 It's about a 25-minute taxi ride from Xiangyang East Railway Station. The visitor center is right next to the bus stop, so you don't have to walk around unnecessarily.
NO.6 Linfen|Shanxi
This route is suitable for older children because the journey is relatively long, but the scenery is breathtaking, unmatched by the previous ones. Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestral Temple is actually a large park with mostly flat paths, so strollers are fine. You can watch the live performance "Dahuaishu Migration," which tells the story of migration; it's a bit tear-jerking, but children can understand the gist. The Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River must be visited in the morning when the light is better, and you can see rainbows in the mist. There are steps in the scenic area, but not many, so children can walk on their own.
⚠️ The area around the waterfall is very humid, so it's best to put your phone and camera in waterproof bags, wear quick-drying clothes, and avoid white shoes, as they'll be covered in mud. The ancient village of Talpo in Yunqiu Mountain is a pleasant surprise; nestled in a valley, it doesn't require climbing, and the cave dwellings and stone mills are fascinating for children.
⏰ Hukou Waterfall has the largest water volume during the flood season, making July and August the most spectacular time to visit.
NO.7 Ankang | Shaanxi
This Ankang route emphasizes "few crowds, beautiful scenery, and no queues." The Qiancenghe Scenic Area is hidden in the mountains, with a gentle, easy-to-walk boardwalk along the river; the children walked the entire way on their own without needing to be carried. The river water is turquoise, and you can catch small fish in the shallows; just bring a small folding net. The Fengyan Ancient Terraces are on a mountain, but you don't need to climb; you can drive directly to the viewing platform. At dusk, the sunset is reflected in the water of the terraces, and children will point to the water and say, "The sky has fallen into the fields!" I recommend staying overnight at a farmhouse near the terraced fields. The stewed chicken with potatoes is so delicious, kids will eat a whole bowl! And in the morning, you can see a sea of clouds just outside your window.
⚠️ The mountain roads are winding, so give children prone to motion sickness medication beforehand and bring plastic bags.
🚄 It takes about an hour and a half to drive there from Ankang city. Set your navigation to Fengyan Ancient Terraced Fields Scenic Area. Signal is weak on mountain roads, so download an offline map beforehand.
NO.8 Ya'an | Sichuan
Bifengxia was the smoothest experience of my trip overall. The scenic area is divided into two parts: the panda base and the canyon. First, take a sightseeing bus to the panda base, which is all flat ground, stroller-friendly, and the pandas are right in front of you eating bamboo – kids can watch for half an hour straight. For the canyon section, choose the "left canyon," which is all downhill, and you take an elevator to the exit at the end, meaning you don't have to climb a single step. There are many waterfalls along the way, and the cool mist is like natural air conditioning in the summer.
🍜 The Ya'an Tata Noodles at the scenic area entrance are freshly made and cooked; a bowl of tomato and egg noodles is enough for a child.
⚠️ The steps in the canyon are slippery, so wear non-slip sneakers, not sandals.
🚄 It's about a 30-minute taxi ride from Ya'an Station. Tickets and the Panda Base ticket are combined; buy them online in advance, as there are long queues at the ticket counter. It gets a bit chilly in the canyon after the afternoon light dims, so bring a light jacket for your child.
Traveling with kids is all about minimizing adult discomfort and maximizing child enjoyment. These eight places are either mostly flat, have seamless cable car and elevator connections, or offer endless water activities, so you don't have to rush. If you've taken your child to any of these places, share your experiences and any suggestions in the comments!
The worst thing about traveling with kids isn't the child getting tired, but the adults collapsing first. The eight cities I chose this time prioritize "ease of travel for adults and fun for kids." They either have mostly flat terrain so you don't have to carry them, or the shuttle buses and cable cars in the scenic areas are well-connected, or you can easily spend an afternoon playing in the water and mud. From my own experience, they're much more comfortable than going to crowded popular tourist spots.
NO.1 Taizhou | Jiangsu
Zhenhu Wetland Park is the most stroller-friendly wetland I've ever seen. The boardwalk is completely flat, and you can push your stroller the whole way without any bumps. Upon entering, you take a boat ride. The lake breeze helps the child fall asleep quickly, giving adults a chance to rest. I highly recommend the section where you take a rowboat into the reed beds. The boatwoman hums a tune, water birds fly past the bow, and when the child wakes up, they can lie on the side of the boat watching the water plants. After disembarking, don't rush off. The wetland experience hall has live jellyfish and Chinese sturgeon. It's cool indoors, and you can stay for half an hour. Lunch was at a fishing village near the scenic area entrance. We ordered fish cakes and shrimp balls from the Zhenhu Eight Delicacies, and the kids ate two bowls of rice with them.
⚠️ Tour groups start arriving after 3 PM, so it's best to arrive before 10 AM.
🚄 It's about a 40-minute taxi ride from Taizhou Station, stopping directly at the scenic area gate without needing to transfer.
NO.2 Baoshan|Yunnan
The most surprising part of the trip was Tengchong. It wasn't as strenuous as traditional mountain climbing. Yunfeng Mountain has a cable car that goes directly to the halfway point, and the remaining steps are gentle enough for a five-year-old to walk on their own. The sea of clouds at the summit had the kids exclaiming the whole way. There's also a cable car down, and the whole trip takes about three hours. I recommend staying overnight in Heshun Ancient Town. After 5 PM, the tour groups leave, and the washing pavilions by the rice paddies are truly yours to enjoy. Take the kids to Wild Duck Lake to feed the fish; two yuan worth of fish food will keep them entertained for half an hour. Beihai Wetland is best visited in the morning. Walking on the grass rafts is a favorite with kids; the soft, sponge-like surface is wonderful. However, be sure to wear non-slip shoes, as water can get into the gaps in the rafts. Don't bring a stroller to Tengchong Volcano Hot Sea Tourist Area; there are many steps. Older children will be captivated by the bubbling sulfur springs.
🍜 Songhua cake in the ancient town is worth buying; it's only five yuan a piece and sweet but not cloying.
⚠️ Boiled eggs sold at the entrance of the Hot Sea Scenic Area are twice as expensive as inside; buy them inside.
NO.3 Yulin|Guangxi
Darongshan National Forest Park is seriously underrated. The Lotus Scenic Area here has vast alpine meadows where children can run freely, unlike those mountains where you have to carry them the whole time. You can drive directly to the mountaintop camping area, saving you the climbing part, which is crucial for families with young children. I recommend hiking a section of Jiupu Valley; it's two kilometers long with a gentle slope, and the path is full of waterfalls and pools with cool water—perfect for splashing in the summer. I arrived that afternoon, and the entire valley was practically empty except for our family of three. There were even small shrimp in the water, and my child spent half an hour catching them and didn't want to leave.
⏰ The best time to visit is two days after a rain, when the waterfall's flow is stronger and the pools are crystal clear. There are no restaurants in the mountains, so bring your own food. Hot water is available at the campsite.
🚄 It's about an hour's drive from Yulin city. The mountain roads are winding, so drive slowly. If your child is prone to motion sickness, apply motion sickness patches beforehand.
NO.4 Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Guizhou
I call the Libo Zhangjiang route a "water paradise." The section near the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge is the most crowded. I recommend taking the sightseeing bus directly to Wolongtan and walking downhill from upstream—it's a gentle downhill walk. The shallow beach below the Cuigu Waterfall is a children's paradise; the water is ankle-deep and crystal clear, so you can safely wade in. Be sure to bring spare clothes and river trekking shoes; children will definitely get wet, and the disposable raincoats sold in the scenic area are ineffective. Enjoy a boat ride on Yuanyang Lake to see the floating forest. The boats are hand-rowed, but the lake is calm, making for a very comfortable and leisurely drift.
⚠️ After 2 PM, tour groups flock to the scenic area, making Wolongtan incredibly crowded. You must rush there as soon as it opens at 8:30 AM.
🍜 Try the Libo sour pork sold at the entrance. Children might find it too sour, but adults will enjoy the fermented flavor.
NO.5 Xiangyang|Hubei
Gulongzhong is more suitable for families with children than I expected because it's a flat area, requiring no climbing. The bamboo forest around Sangutang is photogenic, and kids can play hide-and-seek inside. I highly recommend watching the live performance at the Caolu Theater, with shows at 10 AM and 3 PM daily, telling the story of Zhuge Liang's life of farming. It features horses and fireworks, keeping children captivated. Don't miss the stele corridor next to the Hexagonal Well; the steps are low, making it a perfect place to rest. At noon, head to the Gulongzhong Food Street, not far from the scenic area. Xiangyang beef noodles with yellow wine are the standard accompaniment; choose the non-spicy version for the kids.
⚠️ The last shuttle bus in the scenic area departs at 5:30 PM, so don't forget the time.
🚄 It's about a 25-minute taxi ride from Xiangyang East Railway Station. The visitor center is right next to the bus stop, so you don't have to walk around unnecessarily.
NO.6 Linfen|Shanxi
This route is suitable for older children because the journey is relatively long, but the scenery is breathtaking, unmatched by the previous ones. Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestral Temple is actually a large park with mostly flat paths, so strollers are fine. You can watch the live performance "Dahuaishu Migration," which tells the story of migration; it's a bit tear-jerking, but children can understand the gist. The Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River must be visited in the morning when the light is better, and you can see rainbows in the mist. There are steps in the scenic area, but not many, so children can walk on their own.
⚠️ The area around the waterfall is very humid, so it's best to put your phone and camera in waterproof bags, wear quick-drying clothes, and avoid white shoes, as they'll be covered in mud. The ancient village of Talpo in Yunqiu Mountain is a pleasant surprise; nestled in a valley, it doesn't require climbing, and the cave dwellings and stone mills are fascinating for children.
⏰ Hukou Waterfall has the largest water volume during the flood season, making July and August the most spectacular time to visit.
NO.7 Ankang | Shaanxi
This Ankang route emphasizes "few crowds, beautiful scenery, and no queues." The Qiancenghe Scenic Area is hidden in the mountains, with a gentle, easy-to-walk boardwalk along the river; the children walked the entire way on their own without needing to be carried. The river water is turquoise, and you can catch small fish in the shallows; just bring a small folding net. The Fengyan Ancient Terraces are on a mountain, but you don't need to climb; you can drive directly to the viewing platform. At dusk, the sunset is reflected in the water of the terraces, and children will point to the water and say, "The sky has fallen into the fields!" I recommend staying overnight at a farmhouse near the terraced fields. The stewed chicken with potatoes is so delicious, kids will eat a whole bowl! And in the morning, you can see a sea of clouds just outside your window.
⚠️ The mountain roads are winding, so give children prone to motion sickness medication beforehand and bring plastic bags.
🚄 It takes about an hour and a half to drive there from Ankang city. Set your navigation to Fengyan Ancient Terraced Fields Scenic Area. Signal is weak on mountain roads, so download an offline map beforehand.
NO.8 Ya'an | Sichuan
Bifengxia was the smoothest experience of my trip overall. The scenic area is divided into two parts: the panda base and the canyon. First, take a sightseeing bus to the panda base, which is all flat ground, stroller-friendly, and the pandas are right in front of you eating bamboo – kids can watch for half an hour straight. For the canyon section, choose the "left canyon," which is all downhill, and you take an elevator to the exit at the end, meaning you don't have to climb a single step. There are many waterfalls along the way, and the cool mist is like natural air conditioning in the summer.
🍜 The Ya'an Tata Noodles at the scenic area entrance are freshly made and cooked to order; a bowl of tomato and egg noodles is enough for a child.
⚠️ The steps in the canyon are slippery, so wear non-slip sneakers, not sandals.
🚄 It's about a 30-minute taxi ride from Ya'an Station. Tickets and the Panda Base ticket are combined; buy them online in advance, as there are long queues at the ticket counter. It gets a bit chilly in the canyon after the afternoon light dims, so bring a light jacket for your child.
Traveling with kids is all about minimizing adult discomfort and maximizing child enjoyment. These eight places are either mostly flat, have seamless cable car and elevator connections, or offer endless water activities, so you don't have to rush. If you've taken your child to any of these places, share your experiences and any mistakes in the comments, or suggest places that are better than what I've described.