With young children, one base is better more often than not. A familiar bed, a nap at the usual time and a short walk to dinner do more for a good holiday than one extra city. Add a second hotel only when the next place offers something the first cannot.
It is natural to feel torn, because you want the children to see China and you also want a calm evening. Both are possible when the moves are few and well timed.
How many changes suit each age?
Treat the table as a starting point, then watch how your own children cope.
| Child’s age | Changes to aim for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler | None for five nights | Naps and a familiar bed matter most. |
| Preschool | One in a week | One new place is an adventure, two is tiring. |
| School age | One or two in ten nights | They enjoy variety, and can help carry a small bag. |
| Teenager | As the adults decide | They manage like adults, with a rest day after each move. |
How do you plan the move around naps?
Fit the journey into the nap or into the evening, not into the middle of the day. If the train is at lunch time, feed the children first and keep favourite snacks in the day bag.
Arrive at the station early, as major stations ask for X-ray bag checks and we suggest 30 to 40 minutes before departure[1]. Our guide to check-in and check-out timing shows how to avoid a long wait in the lobby.
What about luggage and strollers?
The official rail limit is 20 kg for adults and 10 kg for children, with each item at most 130 cm, though bags are rarely weighed[2]. A folding stroller, a day bag and a child backpack count as separate items, so plan whose hands carry what.
Pack one small bag for the night, and leave the large suitcase closed. More tips are in the luggage-friendly switches guide.
What do hotels need from a family?
Hotels copy passports at check-in[3], so bring each person’s original passport. Ask about a family room or connecting rooms before you book, and read our family room and bed size guide for what the terms mean.
If a child is unwell, the ambulance number is 120[4]. Keep it on your phone with the hotel’s name in Chinese.
When is a second hotel worth it?
When the extra place is the highlight of the trip. For Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, the East China guide for families shows where one base works. For grandparents too, read the guide on hotel changes for seniors.
What should you do next?
Count your nights, choose the row that fits your youngest, and try the plan in the pace checker. The cost of changing hotels and the cities topic page help with the next decision.