Wangfujing & Dongcheng
$$–$$$Best for: First-time visitors
A short walk to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen, with big-name hotels, the Wangfujing shopping street and metro Lines 1 and 5 on the doorstep.
Area guide →
Where to stay in Beijing
Beijing is huge, so picking the right base matters more than picking the right hotel. Here's how the four best-connected areas compare — for the full side-by-side table, see our area comparison.
Hutongs & Houhai
$$–$$$Best for: Couples and culture
Restored courtyard hotels in old Beijing lanes, steps from Houhai lake bars, Nanluoguxiang snacks and the Drum and Bell Towers.
Area guide →Sanlitun & CBD
$$$–$$$$Best for: Luxury and nightlife
International five-star hotels, rooftop bars and Sanlitun's dining scene, with the quickest run to Capital Airport.
Area guide →Qianmen & Temple of Heaven
$–$$Best for: Budget and families
Great-value hotels on the old southern axis, walking distance to Tiananmen and the Temple of Heaven, on metro Lines 2 and 8.
Area guide →Planning checklist
- Check the best season in when to go.
- Sort your arrival in find flights.
- Brush up with the travel guide.