Where to Stay in Beijing: Districts and Neighbourhoods

Because Beijing spreads across concentric ring roads, picking a base close to the right Subway interchange saves hours of cross-town travel. For most first-time visitors, staying inside the eastern half of the Second Ring Road in Dongcheng District offers the smoothest balance of walkability to imperial sights, direct airport rail access and evening courtyard dining.

Wangfujing, Donghuamen and Dongsi (central Dongcheng)

Stretching immediately east of the Forbidden City moat between Subway Lines 1, 5, 6 and 8, Wangfujing and Donghuamen put you within a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk of Meridian Gate, Jingshan Park and Tiananmen Square. Line 5 runs straight south to the Temple of Heaven and north to the Lama Temple. Hotels here range from grand international five-star properties with indoor pools to quiet mid-range hotels tucked along Dongsi's tree-lined side streets.

Gulou, Beixinqiao and Wudaoying (northern hutong courtyards)

North of the palace between the Drum and Bell Towers, Shichahai and Wudaoying Hutong, converted siheyuan courtyard boutiques let you sleep beneath grey-tile eaves built around pomegranate and persimmon trees. Staying near Beixinqiao Station is especially convenient because the Capital Airport Express terminates right there on Line 5, steps from Ghost Street. Note that taxis cannot enter the narrowest alleys, so choose a courtyard within a short flat walk of a main street if you roll heavy luggage.

Qianmen and Dashilar (south of the square)

Immediately south of Zhengyangmen on Lines 2 and 8, Qianmen Street and Dashilar combine republican-era stone archways, independent bookshops and time-honoured duck and hotpot restaurants halfway between the palace and Tiantan.

Sanlitun, Liangmaqiao and Guomao CBD (Chaoyang District)

Outside the East Second and Third Ring Roads, Sanlitun and the Guomao CBD swap tiled alleys for flagship design hotels, riverside cafes along the Liangma River and skyscraper lounges. Expect a twenty-five-to-thirty-five-minute Subway ride to the imperial axis. See how these bases fit into our three-day itinerary.