Hotels in Beijing

Beijing: Six Centuries of Imperial Capital

Beijing has served as China's political centre since the Ming dynasty established the Forbidden City in 1420. The 72-hectare palace complex sits at the geographic heart of the city, flanked north by Jingshan Park and south by Tiananmen Square — one of the world's largest public plazas at 440,000 sq m. Beyond the imperial core, Wangfujing runs east as the city's main retail corridor, while Sanlitun in Chaoyang district draws younger crowds to its bar streets and concept stores.

Where to Stay in Beijing

Hotels cluster in several distinct zones. Dongcheng places guests within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Nanluoguxiang hutong alley. Chaoyang hosts the embassy quarter and most international business hotels, convenient for the CBD and Workers' Stadium. Haidian in the northwest suits visitors focused on Peking University or the Summer Palace, 15 km from the city centre.

Practical Tips

• Air quality: Check the AQI daily; N95 masks remain useful during high-pollution periods in autumn and winter.
• Transit: Line 2 circles the Second Ring Road and stops at Beijing Railway Station; Line 1 runs east-west through Tiananmen. Airport Express reaches Terminal 3 in 29 minutes from Dongzhimen.
• Visa: Most nationalities require a Chinese visa in advance; a 144-hour transit exemption applies at Beijing Capital International Airport for eligible passport holders.
• Currency: Cash (CNY) is still needed at some hutong vendors; Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate digital payments.