Where to stay

in Beijing

Beijing is big in all senses, with a great choice of hotels from classic to cutting-edge. The second-largest city in China after Shanghai, it's a place of contrasts, with scorching summers and sub-zero winters, ancient history and pop culture, and neighborhoods from authentic to chic. Choose from winding alleys of old hutongs or sleek hotspots with high-end hotels and luxury shopping. Find out where to stay to best suit your vacation interests, from artsy to foodie-focused neighborhoods. Avoid heavy traffic by using the subway, a bicycle, or a traditional rickshaw.

Best Places to Stay for History

History-rich Beijing offers ancient and modern gems. Book a hotel in Dongcheng in the center of the city to learn more about the empire at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Palace Museum. Hotels in Xicheng are ideal for visiting nearby Jingshan Park, where stunning views of the vermillion walls of the Forbidden City and beyond are the reward from the top of the hill. Stay in Downtown Beijing to be close to the emperors' former gardens at Shichahai Lake. Beijing is also a great base for visiting the Great Wall of China, about a two-hour drive away.

Xicheng

Historic sites, museums, and theaters highlight some notable features of Xicheng. Make a stop by Forbidden City or Cultural Palace Of The Nationalities while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Lingjing Hutong Station or Xidan Station to get around town.

Recommended hotels in Xicheng

Downtown Beijing

Historic sites, museums, and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Forbidden City or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Recommended hotels in Downtown Beijing

Great Neighborhoods for Culture

Stay in Dashanzi northeast of the city center to be close to the hip 798 Art District housed in a cluster of former military factories. For cozy, contemporary galleries, consider staying in Chaoyang to access the art village of Caochangdi. Opera buffs and theater fans are well served with accommodations options near Tiananmen Square, where a performance under the dome of the National Centre of Performing Arts is a treat. For an excellent day trip, the new beach-based art museum, UCCA Dune on the Aranya Gold Coast, is a 2-hour journey away by train.

Recommended hotels in Tiananmen Square

Where to Stay for Food and Drink

Lively Sanlitun has buzzing bars and a mouthwatering array of restaurants to make it a favorite place to stay for food tours and atmospheric nightlife. Book accommodations in Dashilar and explore the historic district to find the best Peking duck and authentic street food. To experience an old hutong dating back to the Yuan Dynasty of the 14th century, choose from luxurious or more casual and comfortable hotels in Nanluoguxiang, a hotspot for contemporary cafés. The Central Business District is where to stay for sleek hotel bars and international flavors in design-led restaurants.

Beijing Central Business District

Noted for its art galleries and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Beijing Central Business District. Top attractions like Huamao Commercial Street and Chaoyang Theater are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Hongmiao Station or Jintailu Station to see more of the city.

Recommended hotels in Beijing Central Business District

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