Where to stay in Beijing: best areas and neighborhoods

Beijing is one of the largest cities in the world and getting oriented is not always easy! Unfortunately, you cannot rely much on Google Maps (but there is a Chinese version known as BaiduMaps).

The center of the city is Tiananmen Square. From here, the various districts develop. The best ones to stay in are Dongcheng and Xicheng, the most central ones, where most of the recommended neighborhoods for staying are located (such as DongDan, QianMen, and XiDan) and where the main attractions of the city are.

Here are all our tips on where to stay in Beijing!

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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay

Not recommended areas: Beijing is a safe city. Avoid all too peripheral neighborhoods, due to their distance from the main attractions and low tourist interest.

The districts are numerous and very different from each other, the important thing is to always choose areas well served by the metro: this will make moving around much easier!

If you have little time to spend in the city or it's your first time visiting Beijing, the best neighborhoods are DongDan, QianMen, and XiDan. These are located around the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the latter being the center of the Chinese capital.

If you are looking for an authentic experience, we recommend ShiChaHai, a district where you can savor the true Chinese atmosphere. It is located just north of the Forbidden City and is also recommended for young people, as it is close to Nanluoguxiang, one of the nightlife streets! For nightlife, we also recommend SanLiTun and WuDaoKou: the first is the Embassy district, the second is Beijing's university area.

If you want to save money, we recommend DongSi, WuDaoKou, and FengTai. Here there are various offers and very competitive prices. However, keep in mind that it is possible to find budget accommodation in any district of the city!

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, b&b, and hostels in Beijing. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking

DongDan, best for first-timers

• Pros: Extremely central location, excellent public transport links
• Cons: Can be more expensive than other neighborhoods, and can get very crowded
• Main attractions: Wangfujing Street (famous shopping street), near the Forbidden City
• Average prices: from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

DongDan is certainly the best area to stay in Beijing. This is because it is close to the heart of the city, near the famous Forbidden City, the main attraction of the Chinese capital, and Tiananmen Square. Moreover, the entire district is crossed by Wangfujing, the most important avenue in Beijing, a favorite destination for shopping lovers and full of attractions, shops, and restaurants!

It is an area suitable for everyone, especially for those staying in Beijing for a few days, given its central location. It is especially suitable for families, who will find many services here. It is also one of the most expensive areas in Beijing, but at the same time, it is not difficult to find great deals, thanks to the presence of hotels and small inns with very competitive prices.

Finally, the area is served by two metro lines, line 1 and line 5. This will allow you to move quickly throughout the city, easily reaching even the most distant attractions.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

QianMen, suitable for everyone

• Pros: Unbeatable location for visiting major landmarks, great for walking.
• Cons: Very touristy, can be noisy and crowded
• Main attractions: Qianmen Street, Tiananmen Square
• Average prices: from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

The second best neighborhood to stay in is QianMen, an area that corresponds to the historic center of Beijing. Here is the large Tiananmen Square, as well as attractions such as the National Museum of China and the famous Zhengyangmen Gate. The neighborhood is enclosed between Qianmen E St to the north, Qinian St to the east, Zhushikou St to the south, and Qian Men Da Jie to the west, the street that leads directly to the large Zhengyangmen Gate.

It is an ideal area if you stay in Beijing for a few days. Here you can walk between the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, but above all, you will be in a very central location, full of services and accommodation! It is also ideal for families: despite being one of the most touristy areas, it does not have a hectic pace and is very quiet in the evening.

Finally, as already mentioned, the neighborhood has an excellent location. The metro line 2 passes nearby, allowing you to easily reach various parts of the city.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

XiDan, perfect for families

• Pros: Plenty of shopping malls and restaurants, good metro connections
• Cons: Not as many historic sights as other areas
• Main attractions: Xidan Commercial Street, Capital Museum, financial district.
• Average prices: from $70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

XiDan is the third central district of Beijing, located west of the Forbidden City, while DongDan and QianMen are located east and south respectively. This area is the commercial heart of Beijing: you will find large shopping centers, international brand boutiques, and shops.

It is an ideal neighborhood for families, who are looking for a quieter area in the evening and want all services within reach. It is also ideal for those with little time to spend in Beijing, given its proximity to the other two districts.

Finally, staying here will allow you to move around on foot or by metro. On foot to reach, for example, the Forbidden City, while the area is served by line 1, which quickly leads to the northern part of the city, where the Summer Palace is located.

Average prices in the neighbourhood start from $70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

ShiChaHai, for local vibes

• Pros: Unique and authentic atmosphere, beautiful scenery
• Cons: Accommodations can be more traditional and less luxurious
• Main attractions: Houhai Lake, Nanluoguxiang hutong, Bell and Drum Towers.
• Average prices: from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

ShiChaHai is the district where you can breathe the most authentic China. Once a port area, today it is a renowned tourist destination, where you can admire the iconic images of the grace of the cultural landscapes of Imperial China. It is located just north of the Forbidden City, covers an area of 147 hectares, and hosts three lakes: Houbai, Qianhai, and Xihai. In summer you can enjoy relaxing boat rides, canoeing, and paddle boating, and in winter you can skate on the ice!

It is an ideal neighborhood for families and those who want an authentic area. It is certainly also one of the most beautiful areas of the capital and here you can get lost among the Hutongs, the typical streets in the oldest neighborhoods of Beijing, intersections of avenues and alleys, rich in traditional courtyard houses. The eastern part of the district is recommended for young people, as it is very close to Nanluoguxiang, one of the nightlife centers!

Finally, the whole area is well served by the metro and you will not be far from the main attractions.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $65,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

DongSi, to stay on a budget

• Pros: Very affordable accommodation and food, authentic local atmosphere
• Cons: Fewer luxury hotels and modern amenities
• Main attractions: Dongsi Mosque, Dongsi Sub-district Museum
• Average prices: from $60,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

DongSi is a quiet district located northeast of the Forbidden City and north of the central district of DongDan. Nearby are the National Art Museum of China and the Buddhist temple Songzhusi Ji Zhizhusi.

It is an ideal neighborhood for saving money, especially if you stay in Beijing for more than 3 days! In fact, its slightly more outlying location allows you to fully enjoy the traditional Chinese atmosphere, save on accommodation costs, and at the same time have many services within reach.

In fact, despite its location, the district is excellently connected by metro to the rest of the city: lines 2, 5, and 6 pass here, and the terminal of the train line that leads directly to the airport is also nearby.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $60,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

WuDaoKou, for young and budget travelers

• Pros: Very low-cost food and drinks, vibrant nightlife, easy to meet other travelers and students.
• Cons: Farther from the city center and major historic sights, can be noisy and crowded.
• Main attractions: Beijing's university campuses, lots of international restaurants and bars.
• Average prices: from $60,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

The WuDaoKou district is located northwest of the center and can be considered the university district of Beijing. Here are some of the most important universities in the city! Moreover, the wonderful Summer Palace is also nearby.

Being mainly inhabited by students, it is an ideal neighborhood for young people, very lively both day and night, thanks to the many clubs present. At the same time, it is also an ideal neighborhood for those who want to save money, as it is full of hostels and competitively priced accommodation! However, be aware that most of the accommodation is not available online, so you will have to go directly to the place and negotiate the price for the night.

Finally, given its location, this area is recommended if you have more than a few days to spend in the city. The district is still served by the metro, with the main station being Qinghuayuan Railway Station.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $60,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

SanLiTun, best for nightlife and expats

• Pros: The best nightlife and international cuisine in Beijing, plenty of high-end shopping
• Cons: Can be very expensive, far from most historic sights
• Main attractions: The Village (shopping complex), Sanlitun Bar Street
• Average prices: from $70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Sanlitun is a district located within the larger area of Chaoyang, the embassy district and the place of expats. It is a modern district, with numerous buildings housing shopping centers and clubs, such as Sanlitun Village, the shopping center with international and luxury brands!

This district is especially recommended for young people, as it represents one of the hot spots of nightlife. Especially along Sanlitun Road, the main avenue, you will find numerous clubs open late and restaurants!

The area is a bit far from the center, but if you stay longer in the city and want to enjoy the nightlife, it is the right place for you. Moreover, it is well connected to the city's subway network and is also easily accessible from the airport.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

FengTai, to stay on a budget

• Pros: Extremely affordable accommodation, authentic local atmosphere, fewer tourists.
• Cons: Long commutes to the city center and major sights, fewer English-speaking staff.
• Main attractions: The China Garden Museum, World Park, Beijing Garden of World Flowers.
• Average prices: from $55,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Finally, if you stay at least a week in Beijing, we recommend the FengTai district. It has no particular tourist attractions and is located in the southern part of the city, but it is a residential area with various offers! If you stay in the city for only 3 or 5 days, it is better to opt for the districts seen so far.

It is a recommended area especially for those traveling on a budget, given the very competitive prices of hotels, even the more elegant ones with more services. However, be careful: the district is very large, so make sure to find accommodation near metro stations or close to Beijing West Railway Station.

Finally, the district, although distant from the center, is well connected by the subway: here is the Beijing West Railway Station, where metro lines 7 and 9 pass, and which has several connections to Beijing Daxing International Airport.

Average prices in the neighbourhood range from $55,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Places to stay near Beijing

Beijing is very extensive, one of the largest cities in the world! As we have seen, there are numerous districts completely different from each other that offer everything: traditional atmosphere, wild nightlife, and affordable prices! Staying in the city is the best solution, or better, we could say it is the only valid option.

Another factor not to be overlooked is the distance between the various attractions: to visit the city, you will also be forced to spend an hour on public transport! Staying outside Beijing would mean adding more time spent on transportation, thus wasting precious time!

Travel Tips for Beijing

• Public Transport: Beijing's subway system is modern, extensive, and very easy to navigate with maps in both Chinese and English. It's the most efficient way to get around the city, especially given the heavy traffic. You can buy a public transport card (Yikatong) to make fares even easier.
• Best Time to Visit: The ideal seasons are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). The weather is mild, skies are often clear, and it's perfect for exploring outdoors. Summer can be very hot and humid, while winters are cold and dry.
• Local Currency: The currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY), also known as the Renminbi (RMB). While cash is still used, mobile payments via apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are dominant. Many places, especially smaller shops and restaurants, may not accept foreign credit cards, so it's wise to have some cash on hand.
• Local Vibe/Culture: Beijing is a city of immense history and culture. Be prepared for crowds, especially at major tourist sites. Punctuality is highly valued, and bowing or a slight nod is a polite greeting. Don't be afraid to try your hand at a few basic Mandarin phrases—locals will appreciate the effort.

Beijing accommodation price map

Booking.com

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