The Best of Beijing - Beijing - page 298

Beijing Zoo & Beijing Aquarium ( 北京动物园、北京海洋馆 ; 137 Xizhimenwai Dajie 西直
门外大街 137 号 ; zoo ¥15, panda house ¥5 extra, zoo & aquarium adult/child ¥130/70; 7.30am-6pm Apr-Oct,
to 5pm Nov-Mar; Beijing Zoo) It's a long way from being the most ethically sound zoo on the
planet, but it does have pandas and what kid doesn't like a fluffy black-and-white panda?
Also on the same site is the impressive aquarium, which has daily aquatic animal displays.
Happy Magic Water Park ( 水立方嬉水乐园 ; Olympic Green, off Beichen Lu 北辰路奥林匹
克公园内 ; water park adult/child ¥200/160, swimming only ¥50; 10am-9pm; Olympic Green)
Beijing's largest indoor water park is housed in this otherworldly, bubble-like structure
(one of the venues for the 2008 Olympics). Kids love the warren of neon plastic slides,
tunnels, water jets and pools.
China Puppet Theatre ( 中国木偶剧院 ; 6425 4847; cnr Anhua Xili & North 3rd Ring Rd 北三
环中路安华西里 ; puppet shows 10am-2.30pm; tickets ¥100; Hepingxiqiao, then 104, 101 or 特 8)
Shadow play, puppetry, music and dance events on weekends at this fairytale castle of a
building. There are two theatres here; the puppet shows are always in the smaller one. The
shows aren't in English but are easy to follow.
Toys City ( 红桥天乐玩具市场 ; 36 Hongqiao Lu 红桥路 36 号 ; 8.30am-7pm; Tiantandong-
men) Located in the building directly behind the Hongqiao Pearl Market ( Click here ), this
place is stuffed to the gills with toys that whiz, whir, beep and flash, as well soft toys,
cars, model kits, Wii sets, PlayStations and computer games.