Also known as Beijing, Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Located in the northeast of the country, this city is usually the first approach to China for travelers. It is famous for its many monuments, including the famous Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Some are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. It’s a place where history and modernity meet, between towering skyscrapers and traditional architecture. We know this destination for its gastronomy, its history and its markets. But where to stay in Beijing?
Due to its density and the many different types of stays the city can offer, it can be complicated to know where to stay in Beijing. That’s why in this guide you’ll find the best places to stay, with their advantages and disadvantages. For each, we offer a selection of accommodations to suit all budgets. Each area represents a different kind of stay, which is why it’s essential to do your homework before choosing where to stay in Beijing
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Beijing, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Beijing:
- $ this authentic accommodation offers shadow painting and calligraphy lessons, as well as Chinese ravioli preparation.
- $$ this hotel, is located in a lively area and offers many on-site services.
- $$$ this luxury establishment, is located in the heart of modern Beijing and is close to all amenities.
Map of Beijing’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Beijing, you’ll find on the map below all the Beijing accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Beijing
Places to stay in Beijing
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Beijing.
Staying in Dongcheng: the historic district
Dongcheng is Beijing's most popular place to stay. In fact, it's the city's busiest area.
One of the reasons for its popularity is that it's home to many of China's most emblematic landmarks. These include the Forbidden City, Tiananman Square and the Yonghe Temple. If you choose to stay here, you'll be doing a lot of cultural sightseeing. The big advantage of staying in this area is its proximity to many of the most popular tourist attractions.
Thetraditional architecture found in Dongcheng will allow you to immerse yourself in the country's history, and more specifically, to discover imperial China. It's a great area for people who want to immerse themselves in Beijing's culture and traditions. At Qianmen, you'll see streets with the traditional look of hutongs: small, narrow passageways typical of Beijing.
Beyond its historical and traditional aspects, Dongcheng is a lively place, even at night. If you choose to stay on Guijie Street, you'll find hundreds of restaurants, open almost all the time, where you can sample the country's various specialties. You'll also find a number of local bars and cafés in the district. This is also where you'll find the shopping streets of Wangfujing, where you'll find most of the international brands. This makes it a favorite district for shopping enthusiasts.
If you choose to stay here, you'll be in the center of the capital and close to the city's other districts. Dongcheng itself is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle. The fact that it's home to so many sites also means you can limit your travels. It's a very practical district, close to all amenities.
In terms of accommodation, prices are pretty affordable, so you'll find something to suit every budget.
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Ideally located, the Beijing Dongdan Hotel is a great option for budget accommodation in Dongcheng. It's less than 1 km from the city center and a 10-minute walk from Wangfujing Street. If you choose to stay here, you'll also have easy access to all the major tourist attractions.
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Right in the heart of Wangfuling, the Sunworld Hotel is in a lively area surrounded by numerous shopping centers and fine restaurants. The hotel offers a gym, massages and rental bikes and cars.
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This hotel, with itstypical Beijingarchitecture, is located in the city's traditional streets, 1 km from Tian'anmen Square. Staying here gives you access to room service and a 24-hour reception.
Stay in the traditional atmosphere of Gulou
Gulou, literally translated as "the drum tower", offers an authentic ambience with a unique local experience.
This is the area where you'll find the Drum Tower, just south of the Bell Tower. It's a two-storey building, emblematic of ancient Beijing. It was used to announce the time with music played from the top of the towers. Today, it's a culturally enriching visit. At the top, you have a superb view of the city. You can also watch expert drummers perform.
To the west of these towers, the district is known for its traditional alleyways: the hutongs. Along with Qianmen, this is one of the last areas to retain the atmosphere of old Beijing. Here you'll find small boutiques of all kinds and a few instrument stores.
The area is also quite lively, as the Chinese like to party in the bars. You'll also find trendy cafés and plenty of restaurants.
This area is located to the north of Dongcheng, close to its various tourist attractions. Gulou itself has a lot to offer culturally, so it's not a district where you're likely to get bored either. Every outing is a change of scenery in this district. It's conveniently located and gives you easy access to Beijing's other districts.
When it comes to choosing where to stay, prices are similar to those in Dongcheng, and therefore quite affordable.
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Staying here is a good, inexpensive alternative for discovering Beijing's culture. The hotel is surrounded by traditional old hutongs and is right next to the Drum Tower. This accommodation also has the advantage of being close to the center, and in particular to the Forbidden City.
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Adorned with natural elements such as brick, fabric and wood, the rooms are carefully decorated. Staying here gives you access to a terrace for relaxing. The Orchid Hotel also offers a ticketing service and a tour desk.
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Very well placed, this hotel is located in a hutong. Everything is decorated in typical Chinese style. It's the perfect place to stay for a complete change of scenery. The welcome is equally warm, and the rooms open onto beautiful courtyards where you can relax.
Quiet accommodation in Xicheng
Xicheng is a serene place to stay in Beijing. Its relaxing setting is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet to recharge their batteries.
Indeed, the district is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery. Shichachai boasts three popular lakes : Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai. There are also parks such as Beihai, which is very large at over 68 hectares, and Jingshan, located opposite the exit to the Forbidden City. The best way to discover this area is on foot, to admire all the beautiful views it has to offer. You'll also see mostly traditional houses rather than modern buildings.
In terms of activity, the area is home to a number of shopping venues as well as fine restaurants. This is also where you can visit the Beijing Capital Museum.
Staying here is a great idea for those seeking peace and quiet. Xicheng may be less lively than the rest of the city, but it's not isolated, being just west of the center. This means you're close to all the big activities. There are also metro stops and cabs, so if you choose to stay here, you'll be able to get around easily.
In terms of price, accommodation is about the same as in the rest of Beijing, and sometimes a little cheaper.
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Staying here will offer you a peaceful, authentic stay, far removed from city life. This accommodation offers traditional cultural activities such as shadow painting classes, calligraphy lessons and Chinese ravioli preparation.
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Located in a very quiet and safe historic district, the rooms in this accommodation are clean and luxurious. The staff are very attentive and pleasant. Guests who have stayed here in the past comment on the excellent value for money.
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Rooms are modern and clean. The hotel offers four restaurants, an indoor pool and a SPA relaxation area . Staying here is perfect for those seeking comfort. This accommodation is conveniently located and close to all amenities.
Stay in Chaoyang for comfort
Chaoyang is a large district to the east of Beijing. It's bustling with activity, and is the city's central business district. In fact, it's home to many embassies, and as you can imagine, the area is very modern and full of tall skyscrapers.
If you choose to stay here, you'll have the advantage of being close to all amenities. That's why staying here is so comfortable. There aren 't many tourist attractions, but most travelers end up here at one time or another to shop, eat or party. In fact, this is where you'll find the Olympic Village, which welcomed over 16,000 athletes for the 2008 Games. Although the district is predominantly urban, you'll also find a number of parks such as Ritan and Chaoyang, adding a little biodiversity to the landscape.
This district is also home to Sanlitun, a lively district renowned for its nightlife. There are many bars, clubs and concert halls. In terms of gastronomy, you'll also find a large number of restaurants. It's a great place to stay for those who want to enjoy their evenings out and celebrate. It's also very popular for its shopping malls, mainly featuring international boutiques. Art lovers will enjoy it just as much, as the area has an interesting art scene with galleries and festivals, for example.
In short, we recommend Chaoyang to those seeking convenience and comfort above all else. For travelers wishing to stay in a very authentic area and immerse themselves in the country's culture, this place is not ideal.
In terms of accessibility, you certainly won't be able to walk to the city's main tourist attractions, but public transport or cabs will get you there very easily.
Accommodation may be slightly more expensive, but overall it's affordable, and you'll find something to suit every price range. The district has a very wide range of hotels, many of them very elegant and close to the stores.
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Beijing Sanlitun Serviced Apartment offers accommodation overlooking the inner courtyard. Some rooms include a fully equipped kitchen. If you choose to stay here, you can play billiards on site and relax in the shared lounge area.
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The Holiday Inn Express is ideally located in the embassy district, around 15 minutes' walk from the famous Sanlitun bar street. Staying here means free use of the gym and massage chair.
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The design of the rooms in this accommodation is very modern. Here, you have the opportunity to stay in a luxurious hotel in the heart of urban Beijing. The hotel also offers access to a gym and even a SPA relaxation center.
Summary
Beijing is one of Asia’s most popular destinations, and for good reason: it’s a city that blends ancient traditions with modern conveniences. You’ll discover a unique culture. The city is very beautiful, thanks in particular to the many buildings with architecture typical of the country. You’ll find everything you need for a pleasant stay, and some districts are even very lively.
However, as you can see, each area offers a very different journey. Beijing is a very large city, with many different activities and levels of immersion. Some places are very quiet, others very modern and lively, while many are rather older and more touristy. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right place to stay and the right accommodation in Beijing