Want a Vacation and Kid-Friendly Fun All in One? This Hidden Gem Near Beijing Has It All.
I remember a saying I came across a while ago: friends are not the ones who came first or whom you've known the longest, but the ones who, once they arrive, never leave. So I feel very lucky. Over the years, people have come and gone, but a few best friends I made during school and after entering the workforce have always been there. We laugh and cry together, striving to shape our lives into the ideal—yearning for carefreeness, joy, and freedom. A mall sale, a newly opened restaurant, a bad mood from arguing with the boss, hearing that the weekend weather is nice… any excuse, and with a single call in our chat group, we'd gather from all corners of Beijing, becoming the happiest and most boisterous presence of that day.
Gradually, as time moves on, everyone's life situation evolves. Especially after several of us had babies, the days when we could drop everything at a moment's notice became fewer and fewer. I complained about how hard it was to meet up; they cried that taking care of kids was exhausting. Yet we all missed each other deeply. Isn’t there a way to combine a girls' get-together with kid-wrangling in one go?
Now, that wish has finally come true! Club Med Joyview Beijing Yanqing Resort, this hidden gem of a hotel, brought us back to our old instant click. In the height of summer, we rushed here, putting an end to the pain of 'long time no see' even though we all live in Beijing.
Club Med Joyview is one of the three product lines under the Club Med Group, designed specifically for the Chinese travel market as a short-haul vacation product. So one of its defining features is proximity—just a few hours away, you can escape the city bustle and embrace nature.
Club Med Joyview Beijing Yanqing Resort is located in Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing, just a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Beijing. With no mountain roads, even us lady drivers could handle the journey easily. Parking is free at the resort.
With its back to the Songshan Nature Reserve and surrounded by acres of flower fields and vineyards, the environment is delightful. It's the perfect choice for those who are cautious about the pandemic and don’t want to travel far, yet still crave a family vacation.
We all arrived at the hotel one after another. As soon as we got out of the car, staff came to greet us and guided us to the front desk for check-in. Even though it was a weekday, the place was genuinely busy, and the check-in line was long. We heard that from the next day through the weekend they were fully booked. It seems Beijingers have really been stifled lately...
The rooms were ready and thoughtfully arranged next to each other. They were spacious and comfortable, with clean bedding. The pillows were labeled by firmness, and fresh welcome fruit was on the table.
There are two stay options: one is room with breakfast, and the other is Club Med's signature all-inclusive package, which covers three meals, unlimited drinks at the bar, and all resort activities.
Vacation is all about enjoying life, and with kids, convenience is key. So naturally, we chose the all-inclusive option. It turned out to be a very wise choice. Guests on the all-inclusive package receive a green wristband at check-in (kids get a yellow one). With these wristbands, we had free rein everywhere in the hotel, handling eating, drinking, and having fun without ever leaving.
I had previously been to the Beidaihe Club Med Joyview and felt it was incredibly family-friendly. That feeling was even stronger here in Yanqing, because this resort has China's largest Club Med indoor playground—the Fun Zone. For kids, it’s the happiest paradise.
A vibrant glass corridor connects the hotel's main building to the indoor playground. The floor is made of soft rubber, so little ones who love to run won't get hurt if they fall.
At the end of the corridor, automatic doors slide open slowly. What awaits us here?
Located on the second floor of the Fun Zone, this place is bright and colorful. Several play areas have slides, rocking horses, mini trains, and giant building blocks. All facilities are padded to prevent injuries during play.
This place sparks excited screams from kids, instantly shifting them into wild-play mode.
It also made this old auntie (who has no kids but is a kid at heart) deeply reflect: kids today have such a happy childhood!
In the Music Academy, there are all kinds of instruments that produce pleasant sounds. Kids pick up wooden mallets, hit drums, strike xylophones, and express great satisfaction with their musical creations.
Stepping here feels like traveling through outer space.
Games really are a favorite of men of all ages...
The spiral staircase is like a time tunnel, transporting us from the children's wonderland down to the sports area on the first floor.
The space here is more spacious, divided into different activity zones.
Foot pool—yes, you read that right, it's pool played with your feet! My friend's little one was very determined, piling all the balls into the pocket.
High-tech VR games, with a constant long line.
Another popular activity is the trapeze. Unfortunately, the kids waiting to try it were in a long queue, otherwise I would really have liked to go up and challenge myself.
Soft archery—I was the only big kid on the spot... My first two arrows went astray, but luckily the third hit the 8-ring, so I didn't lose to the two little ones next to me...
During the day, the small theater plays animated films. Many parents accompany their children to watch movies, enjoying quality family time together.
Every evening, the theater stage hosts wonderful performances, with the G.Os leading all the kids in a show. Every G.O at the resort is multi-talented, and the kids are quite impressive too.
Mini Club childcare service
At Club Med, there's a perk that parents love most: children aged 4 and above can be left in the care of G.Os, who look after them and organize various activities.
The childcare hours are 8:45–11:45 a.m. and 2:00–5:00 p.m. every day. Parents just need to pick up a registration form at the Kids' Club entrance, sign the childcare agreement, and they can confidently leave their children with professionally trained G.Os, then feel completely liberated.
My friend's child was under 4, so they couldn't experience it. We came across these 'fostered' little ones along the way, each being carefully looked after by a G.O, not making a fuss, and looking much better behaved than when with their parents!
The little windmill on the lawn—a must-visit photo spot!
Pinecone Park was filled with laughter—it was my friend's child's favorite place these past few days. Each little one, like a nimble squirrel, treated the playground as their sheltering pine forest, climbing up and down through all the nooks.
Nearby are various outdoor sports courts for soccer, basketball, and tennis. Sports equipment can be borrowed from the hotel.
The sunshine in the Beijing suburbs is not as scorching as in the city center. Sweat freely here, feel the refreshing coolness after exercise, and all worries and stress will be swept away.
A little train tour runs every hour, and the starting station is on the right side of the door facing the outdoor area on the ground floor of the indoor playground. We took the train around the resort, a full loop of about 50 minutes, passing flower fields, grape-picking gardens, a winery, vegetable-picking gardens, and more.
This trip wasn't just about taking the kids out to play; it was also a rare gathering for me and my besties. We chose Club Med Joyview because it's not only a childhood party for the little ones, but also a perfect place for us big kids to enjoy our vacation.
A delightful afternoon tea
At the two bars in the indoor playground and the hotel lobby, all drinks are unlimited. We ordered coffee and chatted about long-kept gossip and heartfelt matters, finally feeling that our friendship isn't so superficial after all.
The little one learned to order by himself after just watching once. He climbed up onto the high seat, ordered a juice from the staff, and even remembered to say 'thank you' when he took it.
There is a vast flower field within the resort. In the lush summer, the endless cosmos flowers sway gently in the sunlight.
At the heart of the blooming flower sea is a beautifully designed wooden chapel, with a glass café next to it.
Strolling along the wooden boardwalk winding through the flowers, or gently swinging on the small swing in front of the café, breathing in the faint floral scent carried by the breeze, with dappled sunlight falling through the trees.
Such a French-holiday feeling—incredibly dreamy.
The hotel has a rich schedule of activities every day, many of which adults can join, such as cycling, yoga, fitness training, and more. You can bring older kids along, or enjoy them yourself after leaving the kids with the childcare service.
Unfortunately, I was tied to my bestie and her 3.5-year-old the whole time and couldn't join in (actually, I just don't want to admit my laziness).
The Xunwei Restaurant is on the first floor. It's spacious, with tall floor-to-ceiling windows creating a bright, open atmosphere. The hotel elevators and other areas also have peak dining time notices, kindly suggesting guests stagger meal times—very thoughtful.
Every day, the three meals offer a great variety of cuisines. The Western section has bread, salads, roast chicken, and kids' favorites like fried chicken and fries. The Chinese section has rice, cold dishes, various stir-fries, and knife-cut noodles. The dessert area offers many flavors of ice cream and cakes.
My friend's child is normally a bit picky and needs to be fed at home, but here he started to become independent, happily eating by himself. Seeing what other kids had on their plates, he started asking to try their food and ate many things he previously refused to touch.
Ah, he's grown up a little more. My friend's old mother's heart—I could see she was so gratified she was about to cry.
The hotel strictly implements pandemic prevention measures, with eight major protocols including temperature checks, health code verification, hygiene and safety training, and regular disinfection at designated times. Tissues and hand sanitizer are placed next to each elevator, ensuring a worry-free and safe stay for everyone.
1. During peak season, hotel rooms are extremely limited. Book in advance! Book in advance! Book in advance! Important things must be said thrice.
2. Yanqing's temperature is lower than in the city, with a big temperature difference between day and night. Bring appropriate clothing. UV rays are strong during the day, so protect yourself from the sun.
3. Water activities will reopen in August, so remember to pack a nice swimsuit.
4. There are currently promotions on the all-inclusive package. Inquire with the hotel in advance to enjoy more discounts.
'Long time no see'—my bestie and I stayed here with the kids for a full 3 days and 2 nights. The little ones had so much fun they forgot to miss home, and even after chatting all night, my bestie and I still felt it wasn't enough.
That's life—no matter how hard you try, some things just don't go as you wish. Fortunately, we know what we want, and we know that with every gain comes a few regrets. But so what? For those of us who love strolling and traveling, now that a gem like Club Med Joyview exists, shopping sprees turn into flower-field walks, gatherings turn into comfortable vacations. This kind of life creates yet another form of beauty that we all long for.
Travelogue Directory: 1. A Wonderful Beginning 2. Convenient Transportation 3. Check-in Experience and All-Inclusive 4. Let Loose, Little Ones! 5. Free Yourselves, Big Kids! 6. A Delightful Culinary Journey 7. Pandemic Prevention Measures 8. Small Tips 9. A Blissful Ending. Travel Information, Hotel Index, Guide Index, Flight Ticket Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index. Affiliate Cooperation, Distribution Alliance, Friendly Links. Corporate Gift Card Purchase, Insurance Agency, Agency Cooperation, Hotel Affiliate, Destination and Scenic Spot Cooperation, More Affiliate Cooperation. About Ctrip, About Ctrip, Ctrip Hot Topics, Contact Us, Career Opportunities, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Security Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure.