About Beijing

Beijing has the kind of layered charm that sneaks up on travelers. The city moves fast yet holds still, where the hum of electric bikes around Dongcheng lanes mixes with the quiet dignity of the Temple of Heaven at sunrise. The capital doesn’t try to impress; it just exists with confidence. You’ll smell sesame oil from street grills one minute and pass a Louis Vuitton window the next.

For a first-timer, it helps to think of Beijing as a web of neighborhoods, each telling its own story. Sanlitun hums with rooftop bars and sleek Beijing hotels; Shichahai hides quiet courtyards where the air smells faintly of cypress wood. The heart of the city still beats at Tiananmen, but the soul, well, that’s found in hutongs that haven’t changed much in fifty years.

And yes, hotels in Beijing come in every form imaginable and restored siheyuan courtyards, futuristic towers with glass infinity pools, and practical business stays with rooms the size of a tea tray. Choosing where to sleep here is half the experience.

Well-planned Beijing tour packages available on Akbar Travels with bundle top attractions, guided transfers, and comfortable stays, often saving both time and cost compared to booking separately.

Beijing airport Address

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) sits about 32 kilometers northeast of the city center, in Shunyi District. The newer Daxing International Airport (PKX) is nicknamed the “Starfish” for its outstretched arms, and lies roughly 46 kilometers south. The drive from either airport into downtown can take 40 to 80 minutes depending on traffic, which tends to spike around 7–9 a.m. and again after 5 p.m.

A taxi from Capital Airport to the Forbidden City runs around ¥120–¥160, while airport express trains cost ¥25 and drop you at Dongzhimen, right near a cluster of hotels in Beijing near airport and business centers.

The Best Time to Visit Beijing

Late April through early June feels like someone cleaned the city overnight — the skies are clearer, parks bloom, and hotel rates stay reasonable. September and October are crisp, golden, and perfect for long walks along the ancient city walls.

Avoid the first week of October (National Day holidays) when Beijing hotels fill up weeks in advance, and the Beijing hotel prize per night can rise by 40–60%. Winter brings clear blue days but freezing nights; still, that’s when you’ll find the cheapest hotel in Beijing, small family-run stays offering rooms under ¥250 if you book through akbartravels.com at least 30 days out.

How to reach Beijing

By Air

Both PEK and PKX serve as major international gateways. Most 5 star hotels in Beijing offer private car pickups; otherwise, use the Airport Express or ride-hail apps like Didi.

By Rail

Beijing Railway Station (Dongcheng) connects to Shanghai, Xi’an, and Hong Kong. If staying nearby, check hotels in Beijing near railway station, practical for early departures. The newer Beijing South Station is more modern, with efficient high-speed connections to Tianjin (30 minutes).

By Road

Intercity buses link Beijing with Tianjin, Datong, and Chengde. Long-distance travelers might notice the comfort gap, buses vary widely, and rest stops can be… rustic. Still, reaching hotels in Beijing this way gives a glimpse of countryside life.

Things to do in Beijing

Each site here holds a personality. Here’s a short, honest take on what to expect:

1. Forbidden City – Imperial palaces with marble stairs polished smooth by centuries of footsteps.
2. Temple of Heaven – Locals practice tai chi at dawn; join in if you dare.
3. Great Wall (Mutianyu section) – Fewer crowds, gentler climbs, and excellent mountain air.
4. Summer Palace – Willow-lined lakes where locals rent boats and couples pose for wedding shoots.
5. 798 Art District – Industrial warehouses turned into galleries and espresso bars.
6. Lama Temple (Yonghegong) – Tibetan incense smoke mingles with tourists’ camera flashes.
7. Hutongs of Nanluoguxiang – Narrow alleys where the smell of fried dumplings drifts constantly.
8. Beihai Park – A breezy escape with paddle boats and white pagoda views.
9. Jingshan Park – Climb at sunset for the best skyline view over the Forbidden City’s golden roofs.
10. Tiananmen Square – Grand, solemn, and surprisingly quiet at dawn.

Local note: Entry tickets sell out faster on blue-sky days; book ahead through akbartravels.com’s linked city tours when weather forecasts are clear.

Shopping in Beijing

Shopping here feels like two different cities stitched together. There’s glitzy designer life at China World Mall, and there’s haggling theater at Silk Street Market. Try:

• Wangfujing Street – Mainstream fashion meets scorpion-on-a-stick snacks.
• Sanlitun Village – Stylish, with rooftop bars tucked between boutiques.
• Panjiayuan Antique Market – Dusty, chaotic, irresistible if you like fake jade next to real treasures.
• Yashow Market – Tailor-made suits done in 48 hours.
• Solana Lifestyle Park – Lakeside shopping with solid food options.
• The Place – Known for its huge LED sky screen that lights up at night.
• Liulichang Street – Old calligraphy shops and paper merchants.
• Qianmen Street – Historic charm mixed with Starbucks (and you’ll still love it).
• Xidan Joy City – Younger crowd, mid-range prices.
• SKP Beijing – One of Asia’s fanciest malls; window-shopping is an art here.

Weekends around noon get busy; better to hit markets at 10 a.m. sharp before tour groups roll in.

Famous Restaurants in Beijing

No city blends tradition and trend quite like this one. Food here tells stories:

• Da Dong Roast Duck – Crispy skin, table-side carving, theatrical presentation.
• Quanjude – The classic choice for Beijing duck; older clientele, rich flavors.
• Jing Yaa Tang (The Opposite House) – Upscale but relaxed; modern Chinese done right.
• TRB Hutong – European fine dining inside a temple courtyard – sounds odd, works beautifully.
• Duck de Chine – Elegant twist on the duck ritual; great cocktails too.
• King’s Joy – Vegetarian fine dining that even carnivores respect.
• Hotpot Heaven – Loud, fragrant, joyful chaos.
• Siji Minfu – Queue early; small space, legendary duck.
• Mr. Shi’s Dumplings – Friendly prices, handmade joy.
• Lost Heaven – Yunnan cuisine, atmospheric and moody lighting.
• Haidilao Hotpot (Wangfujing) – Late-night lifesaver after long sightseeing days.
• Baoyuan Dumpling Restaurant – Rainbow-colored wrappers, family vibe.

A trick: book through akbartravels.com dining add-ons if visiting during national holidays; some partner restaurants hold priority tables.

Popular Hotels in Beijing

Here’s the truth, there are hundreds of hotels in Beijing, but only a few consistently deliver balance between service, location, and sanity. These names hold up trip after trip:

• The Peninsula Beijing – All-suite property; whisper-quiet despite being near Wangfujing.
• Rosewood Beijing – Polished and modern; their spa is worth an afternoon.
• NUO Hotel Beijing – Subtle nods to Ming art, excellent buffet breakfast.
• Grand Hyatt Beijing – Direct underground mall access, helpful in winter winds.
• Park Plaza Wangfujing – Mid-range, reliable Wi-Fi, solid beds.
• Peking Youth Hostel – For character, not comfort, in Nanluoguxiang hutongs.
• Regent Beijing – Great indoor pool, close to the metro.
• The Opposite House – Boutique luxury, all blond wood and minimal design.
• Hotel Éclat Beijing – Surreal art pieces, glass-domed suites.
• JW Marriott Beijing Central – Predictable luxury; sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
• Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven – One of the best cheap hotels in Beijing if location matters.

Rates fluctuate; akbartravels.com usually lists real-time Beijing hotel price comparison charts that help spot dips 3–4 weeks before travel.

Popular Resorts in Beijing

If the city starts to buzz too loud, there are quiet corners on the outskirts:

• Yanqi Lake Kempinski Resort – Mirror-like lake, clean mountain air.
• Sunrise Kempinski Hotel – That UFO-shaped building; breathtaking at dawn.
• Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping – Access to hot springs, worth a winter stay.
• Commune by the Great Wall – Private villas tucked near the Mutianyu section.
• Chateau Changyu AFIP Global Beijing – Vineyard resort; yes, there’s decent Chinese wine now.
• Fragrant Hills Hotel – Older but nostalgic; autumn leaves set the scene.
• Beijing Badaling Hot Spring Resort – Rustic, local, not fancy but relaxing.
• Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Center – Grand, mostly for events, but guests can book weekends.
• Longmai Hot Spring Village – Family-friendly with decent pools.
• Beijing Shimao Wonderland Resort – Slightly kitschy, great fun for kids.

Weekdays often see 20–25% lower rates than weekends, especially during non-holiday months.

Where to Stay in Beijing

Deciding where to base yourself depends on what kind of traveler you are:

• Wangfujing/Dongcheng – Walkable to Forbidden City; best for first-timers.
• Chaoyang (Sanlitun/Guomao) – Sleek, modern, full of luxury hotels in Beijing.
• Xicheng – Quieter, more traditional; ideal for families.
• Haidian – University district; affordable hotel apartments in Beijing for longer stays.
• Shunyi – Closer to PEK; look for hotels in Beijing near airport if you’ve got early flights.

Each neighborhood has its own rhythm. Around Sanlitun, breakfast might be cold brew and avocado toast. In Xicheng, it’s steamed buns from a street cart that sets up at 6:30 sharp.

Places to Stay in Beijing near Popular Attractions

1. Near Tiananmen Square – Grand Hotel Beijing offers unmatched views.
2. Near Forbidden City – Waldorf Astoria Beijing sits just a 10-minute walk away.
3. Near the Temple of Heaven – Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven keeps it simple and close.
4. Near Sanlitun – The Opposite House defines boutique chic.
5. Near 798 Art Zone – CHAO Sanlitun Beijing gives creative travelers their space.
6. Near Beijing Railway Station – Novotel Beijing Xinqiao, dependable and central.
7. Near Olympic Park – InterContinental Beijing Beichen, easy metro access.
8. Near Beihai Park – Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel, quirky and quiet.
9. Near Hutong Districts – Peking Youth Hostel, full of charm and uneven floors.
10. Near Daxing Airport – Cordis Beijing Daxing, smooth for late-night arrivals.

Booking early helps; some Beijing famous hotels hold non-refundable discounts 45 days ahead.

Budget Hotels in Beijing

A few cheap hotels in Beijing deliver more than expected:

• 7 Days Premium Beijing – Basic, near metro, clean.
• Home Inn Plus Dongsi – Small rooms but efficient.
• Jinjiang Inn Beijing Olympic Village – Reliable chain, ideal for solo travelers.
• Citytel Inn Beijing – Minutes from Wangfujing; breakfast feels home-cooked.
• Happy Dragon Alley Hotel – Courtyard vibe, young staff, friendly chaos.

For backpackers, 2 star hotel Beijing listings on akbartravels.com show hidden gems that larger sites skip. If prices dip under ¥300, grab it, those sell out before weekends.

Beijing Hotels by Star Rating

• 5 star hotels in Beijing – Think The Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria, Rosewood, NUO. Expect meticulous service and marble bathrooms.
• 4 star Beijing hotels – Regent Beijing, Novotel, Park Plaza; good comfort at mid-range tariffs.
• 3 star Beijing hotels – Citytel Inn, Jinjiang Inn, Holiday Inn Express; perfect for quick city breaks.
• 2 star hotel Beijing – Mostly small local operators, cash deposits required.

Beijing 5 star hotel experiences differ: some are palatial (Peninsula), others modern (Rosewood). Always check Beijing hotel price comparison to ensure you’re not paying peak rates during conferences.

Best Hotels in Beijing based on Location

Here’s a quick location-wise cheat sheet travelers appreciate:

• Near Forbidden City – The Peninsula, Grand Hotel Beijing, Regent.
• Sanlitun/Embassy area – The Opposite House, CHAO Sanlitun, East Beijing.
• Business hubs (Guomao/Chaoyang) – Rosewood, JW Marriott Central, Park Hyatt.
• Hutong heritage zones – Shadow Art Performance Hotel, Double Happiness Courtyard.
• Airport proximity – Cordis Daxing, Hilton Capital Airport, CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport.
• Railway access – Novotel Beijing Xinqiao, Jianguo Hotel.

If unsure, use akbartravels.com’s map filters to find the best places to stay in Beijing relative to your sightseeing list.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Beijing

Families need space and predictability, both can be tricky in older neighborhoods. A few solid choices:

• NUO Hotel Beijing – Spacious rooms; staff patient with kids.
• East Beijing – Modern, playful design; family suites with bunk beds.
• JW Marriott Central – Good pool, attentive concierge.
• Novotel Peace Beijing – Walkable and calm.
• Grand Hyatt Beijing – Its indoor lagoon pool keeps kids happy during smoggy days.

Tip: carry a small photo ID copy for each family member. Some Beijing hotels still insist on separate IDs even for children, a small quirk of local registration rules.

Beijing Hotels Tariff

The Beijing hotel prize system fluctuates wildly. On regular weekdays, luxury hotels in Beijing like Rosewood start around ¥1,600 per night; during peak October, they climb past ¥2,800. Mid-range Beijing hotels hover between ¥700–¥1,200, and cheap hotel in Beijing options hold steady at ¥250–¥400.

If you’re chasing value, book Tuesday nights; city conferences wrap Monday, freeing rooms mid-week. A small but reliable trick seasoned travelers use. akbartravels.com posts a “rate trend” chart showing daily dips, which beats random guessing.

And no, there aren’t hotels in Beijing near beach, the nearest coastline sits hours away. Still, that odd search term appears on booking sites; people must be dreaming big.

Beijing Travel Tips

1. Book cheap flights to Beijing early: Beijing flight tickets can vary in price. To secure the best fares, it’s advisable to book cheap flights to Beijing well in advance around 45–60 days ahead. Prices climb fast during Chinese holidays. A Tuesday booking window, oddly enough, tends to show the lowest international fares.
2. Carry both digital and paper copies of your ID: Even luxury Beijing hotels sometimes insist on scanning a printed ID page. Local police checks happen around major events; having a copy saves ten awkward minutes at reception.
3. Use the metro whenever possible: Traffic jams can turn short rides into one-hour crawls. Metro Line 2 loops through key areas where most hotels in Beijing cluster, fares start at ¥3, and trains run till 11:30 p.m.
4. Keep small cash handy for taxis and markets: Cashless payments dominate, but taxis occasionally reject foreign cards or even WeChat Pay tied to non-Chinese banks. A ¥100 stash solves surprises.
5. Hotel check-in times are strict: Even at 5 star hotels in Beijing, check-in before 2 p.m. can cost extra. Politely asking at 1:45 p.m. works better than arriving at noon with luggage and hope.
6. Track air quality before outdoor plans: Download AQI apps. On days above 150, shift sightseeing indoors; museums, malls, or the hotel pool. Some luxury hotels in Beijing lend portable purifiers for free if requested early.
7. Plan for festival surcharges: Room tariffs climb 30–50% during Chinese New Year, National Day (first week of October), and mid-autumn festivals.
8. Pack layered clothing: Spring and autumn look mild but swing 10°C between morning and night. Courtyard Beijing hotels can feel drafty in late evenings, an extra light jacket helps.
9. Don’t skip breakfast buffets: Even at mid-range stays, hotel breakfast is solid value; dumplings, congee, and decent coffee. Street food looks tempting, but health inspections vary wildly.
10. Use hotel business cards for directions: Show the printed address (in Mandarin) to taxi drivers. It’s faster than mispronouncing “Dongzhimen” three times. Most Beijing famous hotels print bilingual cards at reception, pocket one immediately.
11. Haggle only where appropriate: Markets like Silk Street or Panjiayuan expect bargaining, start at 40% of the first quote. At branded stores or official counters, haggling will only get polite smiles.
12. Try staying near a metro rather than a landmark: It’s smarter to choose hotels in Beijing near railway station or metro hubs than to overpay for a “view” you’ll only photograph once. Transport convenience saves more time than proximity bragging rights.
13. Be prepared for early closures: Attractions like the Forbidden City stop ticket entry around 4 p.m., even if sunset’s an hour away. Double-check timing when planning your holiday package in Beijing itinerary on Akbar Travels.
14. Learn a few phrases or use translation apps wisely: A friendly “xiexie” (thank you) gets better service almost everywhere. Offline translation helps when reception staff at cheap hotels in Beijing don’t speak English.
15. Try local over global: Skip the imported coffee chain once. The little café beside Nanluoguxiang’s Shichahai Shadow Art Hotel roasts its beans fresh each morning, the smell alone beats any big brand.

Travelers can apply for a China visa online before arrival, it usually takes around 4–7 working days for approval.