Where to Stay in Beijing | Best Accommodation Areas 2024
As the capital city of China, its political, cultural and economic center, and also home to more than 200 tourist attractions including the centuries-old "Seven Wonders of the World" the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and entertaining themed park Universal Studios, etc., Beijing ranks the first among the most popular tourist destinations in China and is also the gateway to other cities in China. A trip to Beijing usually takes 2 to 5 days, but there's no need to worry about where to stay in Beijing since there are lots of hotels. However, due to the layout of most Beijing sight spots, you're highly recommended to stay in four areas - 3 areas in Beijing inner city (Wangfujing Area, Qianmen Area, Hutong Area), and the Great Wall Area in the suburb.
Top 3 Areas to Stay in Beijing Inner City – Most Convenient & Most Recommended
Since most of the Beijing highlights are surrounding Forbidden City within 2nd city ring including Tiananmen Square, National Museum of China, Beijing Hutongs, Wangfujing, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven, etc., you're highly suggested to stay nearby. Near the city center Forbidden City, where most good hotels are located can be divided into Wangfujing Area, Hutong Area, and Qianmen Area. It's very convenient for visitors to travel from the three areas to most attractions in the city, for Beijing has an efficient transportation system. So it's a good idea that you decide where to stay according to your interests, itinerary, and budget.
Beijing Hotels Region Map
(click to enlarge)
Wangfujing Area – Closest to Most Beijing Attractions
Wangfujing (王府井) is in the east of Forbidden City. For travelers, living in this area will save more time and strength, for it's not far from Lama Temple and most popular hutongs in the north and near Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven in the south. You can walk only for a few minutes to make a transfer among most inner-city attractions. Moreover, it's not far from Dongzhimen Bus Station (东直门站), where you can take a direct bus to different sections of the Great Wall in the Beijing suburb, the must-see world wonder in Beijing, at fixed times.
Wangfujing is the busiest modern business street in Beijing, and also a snack street and night market with diverse styled architecture. Home to around 280 stores and restaurants it involves many large shopping malls with a great number of international brands. It also has a Wangfujing Snack Street selling nationwide snacks, souvenirs, and folk crafts. Living in this area offers you opportunities to fit into prosperous contemporary Beijing.
Recommended Hotels in the Qianmen Area:
• The Peninsula Beijing (5 star): located in the heart of Beijing, with sophisticated themed amenities, upscale restaurants, relaxing spa, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, etc.
Add: No. 8, Jinyu Hutong, Donghuamen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区东华门街金鱼胡同8号)
• Regent Beijing (5 star):floor-to-ceiling windows with traditional Chinses elegance
Add: No. 99. Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区金宝街99号)
• Sunworld Hotel Beijing (4 star): with complete facilities and with various types of dishes
Add: No. 88, Dengshikou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区灯市口大街88号)
• Radisson Hotels (4 star): refined rooms with inner swimming pool, fitness center
Add: No. 97. Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区金宝街97号)
• Hotel Cote Cour Beijing (special quadrangle hotel): traditional Chinese design with modern amenities
Qianmen Area – Foodie Paradise
Qianmen Area (前门区) is between Tiananmen Square in the north and Temple of Heaven in the south. It is centered on the 840m-long Qianmen Pedestrian Street. Compared with the Wangfujin area, Qianmen preserves more Beijing favor. It has fewer business shopping malls and more local specialized outlets such as cloth markets, jewelry markets, craftsman workshops, etc., as well as more time-honored snack shops and restaurants such as Quanjude (全聚德), BianyiFang (便宜坊), Donglaishun (东来顺), Liubiju (六必居) and also foreign cafes and fast-food brands such as Haagen Dazs, Starbucks and KFC. You can really satisfy your belly if living nearby.
You can take a tourist bus at the nearby Beijing Tourist Distribution Center (北京旅游集散中心前门中心店) to the Great Wall. Besides, it's close to Beijing South Railway Station, the largest train station and a principal pivot departing and receiving the most trains in Beijing, and not far from Beijing West Railway Station. If you plan another trip to hot cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Xian, etc., in China, then secure accommodation in this area.
Recommended Hotels in the Qianmen Area:
• New world Beijing (5 star): low-rise luxury hotel
Add: No. 8, Qinian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区祈年大街8号)
• Beijing Xinqiao Hotel (4 star): a luxe hotel with a coffee shop, a self-service currency exchange machine in the lobby
Add: No. 1, West Street, Chongwenmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京东城区崇文门西大街1号)
• Dong Fang Hotel (3 star): serving both Chinese and Western dishes, and a bar
Add: No. 11, Wanming Road, Xicheng District, Beijing (北京西城区万明路11号)
• Holiday Inn Express (3 star): contemporary hotel with an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center
Add: No. 36, Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing (北京西城区南纬路36号)
Hutong Area – Closer to Local Beijing Life
In this Hutong Area (胡同区), there are many famous hutongs like Yandaixiejie Hutong, Nanluoguxiang Hutong, Shichahai Hutong Area, and others, formed by traditional quadrangle courtyards some even with a history of over 700 years. Stay deep in the area and the labyrinthine alleyways of Beijing Hutongs will tell the various stories that happened in each period and show the historical development and cultural change of Beijing city to you. For an in-depth Beijing tour to experience authentic Beijing life, this Hutong area must be your first choice. Furthermore, it's close to Summer Palace, 798 Art Zone, Lama Temple, and Dongzhimen Bus Station as well.
Recommended Hotels in the Hutong Area:
• Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel (5 star): 439 spacious guest rooms, including 70 suites, with 4 restaurants featuring Western, Japanese, Italian and Chinese cuisines.
Recommended Hotels around the Great Wall
In fact, usually we suggest travelers accommodate in Beijing city, for most sight spots gather in the inner city, and since Beijing as an international city has convenient transportation, it's very easy to make transfers to the Great Wall.
For travelers who are scheduled to hike the Great Wall early in the morning and see marvelous sunrise, or late in the afternoon to watch a beautiful dusk, especially in the JInshanling Great Wall, it's highly recommended to stay around. If you long for a majestic night view in the Simatai Great, living at its foot in the Gubei Water Town will be an excellent choice. However, the Great Wall sections are all in the suburbs of Beijing far from Beijing City and there are only a few star-level hotels to choose. If you want to stay nearby but are worried about the hotel conditions, you can contact us China Discovery and we'll choose comfortable hotels with a good location and nice service.
Recommended Hotels near the Jinshanling Great Wall:
• Jinshanling Great Wall Hotel: comfortable and airy rooms with many design styles with local specialties.
Add: Jinshanling Great Wall Scenic Area, Luanping County, Chengde, Hebei (河北省承德市滦平县金山岭景区)
Recommended Hotels near the Simatai Great Wall:
Want a night sightseeing in the Simatai Great? Then living nearby is a good idea. At the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, there are lots of good hotels near Gubei Water Town that can offer clean and comfortable rooms for you.
Hotels in the Gubei Water Town Scenic Area:
Add: Gubei Water Town Scenic Area, Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing (北京密云区古北口镇司马台村古北水镇景区)
Gubei Zhiguang Hot Spring Holiday Hotel (luxury level): the largest holiday-themed hotel in the center of Gubei Water Town spreading 68,000 square meters
WaterTown Hotel (luxury level): the world's first watchtower-themed hotel
Gubei Water Town Biaoju Inn (high-grade standard): rooms with mountain and river views, with authentic Hangzhou cuisine, near the river
Gubei Water Town Yanmen Hostel: serving local Beijing foodies
Yang's Inn Gubei Water Town: near the river with family rooms
Hotels near Gubei Water Town Scenic Area:
Mulan Inn Gubei Water Town: 50m outside away from the Tourist Center
Add: No. 19, Simatai Village Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing (北京密云区古北口镇司马台村19号)
Recommended Hotels near the Mutianyu Great Wall:
• Yanqi Hotel Beijing (luxury style): by the picturesque Yanqi Lake with 110 elaborately designed guest rooms and suites, restaurants, spa, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, Kids' Club, etc.
Add: No. 2 Yanqihu West Road, Huairou District, Beijing (北京怀柔区雁栖湖西路2号)
The Mutianyu Great Wall lies close to the Beijing inner city. It will offer you more convenience if you live in the inner city rather than stay nearby.
Recommended Hotels near the Badaling Great Wall:
• Hyatt Regency Beijing Siyuan (3 star):
Add: No. 1, Fukang South Road, Yanqing District, Beijing (北京延庆区阜康南路1号)
How to Plan Your Travel in Beijing
To explore Beijin's highlights, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (with Mutianyu as the top recommendation), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beijing Hutongs - plan for about 4 days, including arrival and departure.
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package
☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Highlights Tour
If you have extra days, consider hiking the scenic Jinshanling Great Wall, enjoying the stunning night views of Simatai Great Wall, or visiting other sections like Huanghuacheng, Gubeikou, and Juyongguan.
☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Families with children should not miss Universal Beijing Resort, while museum enthusiasts should visit the National Museum of China, home to the nation's most valuable treasures.
☛ 5 Days Beijing Family-friendly Tour with Universal Studios Fun
☛ 5 Days In-depth Beijing Tour with History and Culture Discovery
As a major transportation hub, Beijing offers easy access to other top destinations in China by flight or train, such as Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, and Tibet. China Discovery provides a variety of tour packages from Beijing, or we can customize an itinerary to suit your preferences.
Recommended Beijing Tours with Other Top Cities in China:
☛ 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour
☛ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing - Xian - Shanghai)
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Travel to Beijing with China Discovery
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