Where to stay in Beijing
Beijing is enormous, and choosing the right hotel area can save a considerable amount of travelling time. For a first visit, prioritise a central property close to a metro station rather than selecting a hotel based only on price or star rating.
Stay in central Dongcheng or near Beijing’s historic axis
For most first-time visitors, the strongest hotel locations are
Wangfujing, Dongcheng, Qianmen, Dashilar, Shichahai or the
Drum Tower area. These districts place you closer to the
Forbidden City, Tiananmen, Jingshan Park, traditional hutongs and
several metro lines.
Beijing’s main attractions are spread across a very large city.
A hotel that is cheaper but far outside the centre can lead to long
daily journeys. Look for accommodation within a short walk of a
metro station and check which railway station you need for your
onward trip before confirming the reservation.
Travellers prioritising nightlife, international restaurants and a
modern neighbourhood may prefer Sanlitun or central
Chaoyang. Business travellers and luxury-hotel guests can
also consider the Guomao and CBD area.
- ✓ Two or three complete city days
- ✓ One full day for the Great Wall
- ✓ Time for the Forbidden City
- ✓ Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
- ✓ Hutongs, food and evening walks
- ✓ Less rushed than a three-night visit
How many nights should you spend in Beijing?
Three nights
Suitable for a fast introduction, but the schedule will be busy. You will need to prioritise the Forbidden City, one or two central districts and either the Great Wall or another major attraction.
Four or five nights
The best choice for most first-time visitors. This allows a full Great Wall excursion, Beijing’s main imperial attractions and time to explore the hutongs without turning every day into a race.
Six or seven nights
Better for travellers interested in museums, the Summer Palace, the 798 Art District, multiple hutong areas, food experiences or an additional excursion outside central Beijing.
Best areas to stay in Beijing
Wangfujing and central Dongcheng
A convenient central base near major historic attractions, shopping centres, restaurants and useful metro connections.
- Best for: first visits and short stays.
- Nearby: Forbidden City and Jingshan Park.
- Advantages: central and easy to navigate.
- Trade-off: hotels can be more expensive.
Qianmen and Dashilar
A historic district south of Tiananmen with traditional streets, shops, restaurants and convenient access to the central axis.
- Best for: culture and traditional character.
- Nearby: Tiananmen and Temple of Heaven.
- Advantages: attractive evening atmosphere.
- Check: exact distance from the metro.
Shichahai, Houhai and Gulou
A characterful area of lakes, hutongs, courtyard properties, historic residences, cafés and the Drum and Bell Towers.
- Best for: atmosphere and boutique stays.
- Nearby: Houhai and Nanluoguxiang.
- Advantages: traditional Beijing character.
- Check: taxi access and room soundproofing.
Sanlitun and Chaoyang
A modern district known for shopping, restaurants, nightlife, international brands and contemporary accommodation.
- Best for: nightlife and modern hotels.
- Advantages: strong dining selection.
- Atmosphere: lively and international.
- Trade-off: farther from some historic sights.
Do not treat the Great Wall as a quick attraction between two other sightseeing stops. Transport, entry procedures and time on the wall normally make this a full-day excursion. Mutianyu is a popular option with restored watchtowers, cable-car facilities and extensive scenery. Keep the following morning relatively flexible if your return to Beijing is late.
What to check before booking your Beijing hotel
Check the nearest metro station
Do not rely only on the neighbourhood name. Check the actual walking route between the hotel and the nearest metro entrance, especially when carrying luggage.
Confirm the exact room category
Compare room size, window type, air conditioning, breakfast, bed configuration, bathroom privacy and whether the lowest rate is refundable.
Save the address in Chinese
Keep the hotel name, address and telephone number available in both English and Chinese. Confirm late check-in arrangements and keep your passport and booking confirmation accessible.
Beijing has several major railway stations serving different routes. Do not assume every train departs from Beijing South. Check the exact station printed on the ticket, allow time for security and passport checks, and consider your onward station when choosing the final night’s hotel.
Where to go after Beijing
Xi’an
A natural continuation for travellers interested in Chinese history, the ancient city walls, the Muslim Quarter and the Terracotta Warriors.
- Suggested stay: three nights.
- Best for: history and food.
- Travel: high-speed train or flight.
- Route: Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai.
Shanghai
Combine Beijing’s imperial history with Shanghai’s skyline, historic waterfront, modern neighbourhoods and excellent rail links to eastern China.
- Suggested stay: three or four nights.
- Best for: architecture and city life.
- Add: Suzhou or Hangzhou.
- Travel: high-speed train or flight.
Pingyao
A slower historical extension with preserved walls, traditional streets, courtyard accommodation and a very different atmosphere from China’s largest cities.
- Suggested stay: two nights.
- Best for: traditional architecture.
- Route idea: Beijing → Pingyao → Xi’an.
- Check: final rail connection carefully.
Chengde or Tianjin
Chengde offers imperial heritage and mountain scenery, while Tianjin provides an easier urban extension with architecture, food and a different regional atmosphere.
- Suggested stay: one or two nights.
- Chengde: imperial and scenic.
- Tianjin: compact city extension.
- Travel: rail from Beijing.
Suggested China itineraries
Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai
This is the strongest first-time combination for travellers who want imperial history, the Terracotta Warriors and a modern Chinese metropolis in one journey.
Beijing, Pingyao, Xi’an and Shanghai
This version adds a smaller historic city between Beijing and Xi’an. It suits travellers with at least two weeks who prefer overland travel and a greater contrast between destinations.
Start by comparing hotels in Wangfujing, central Dongcheng, Qianmen, Dashilar, Shichahai, Gulou and Sanlitun. Prioritise a property near a metro station with recent reviews, clear room photographs, suitable cancellation terms and an address available in Chinese.
This is a generic accommodation and itinerary guide. Hotel prices, transport schedules, attraction access procedures, room types and cancellation conditions can change. Verify the final details before confirming accommodation, attraction tickets or onward transport.
Complete Your Trip
Flights and accommodation are the big pieces — now make the journey smoother. Below are three useful extras for this trip: activities, mobile data and airport transfers.
Find tours, day trips, food experiences and activities to make this trip more memorable. A useful place to compare things to do before you travel.
Land with mobile data ready and avoid searching for SIM cards or relying on airport Wi-Fi. A simple option for staying connected while travelling.
A useful option for airport transfers, especially when arriving late, travelling with luggage or landing somewhere unfamiliar for the first time.
Need help finding the best flight for your trip?
For €15, Dino can personally research flight options for your trip — including alternative routes, nearby airports, baggage rules, layovers, airline quality and possible hidden costs.
Cheap Flight Guide
Recommended Read
Flight Guide
