Beijing Hotels

Beijing Hotels

Colossal, chaotic, and captivating, Beijing is one of the world’s biggest and busiest cities. Life flows quickly in this thriving metropolis, but dive in and you’ll discover a hypnotic fusion of culture, color, and contradictions. The city’s deep roots to the past have been preserved, but Beijing is roaring ahead to the future at full speed, and ever bolder skyscrapers and ambitions are constantly spawning. The food is spectacular - think crispy skinned Peking duck, and gingery shavings of Moo shu pork - while the city’s portfolio of historical treasures - headed up by the magnificent Forbidden Palace – breathes vivid life into the dynasties of the past.

Things to see

For an unforgettable introduction to Beijing, get up early and head to Tiananmen Square. As the morning’s rays begin to spill across the colossal meeting space, you’ll hear notes of the Chinese national anthem floating through the air, sending shivers down your spine. The ceremony builds, as the national flag slowly ascends, until it’s fluttering gently above the vast Forbidden City, which stands across the road. Almost a thousand buildings make up this extraordinary Ming-dynasty imperial palace, and hours will drift by in a haze as you wander its labyrinth of ancient wooden buildings. Minute detailing is everywhere, and whether it’s the roaring dragon carvings that stand proudly on the roofs, or the golden serpents that slither protectively around the edges of magnificent columns, the scale is overwhelming. Just outside the city, you’ll find a section of the Great Wall of China snaking across the rippling Mutian Valley. Head up to Mutianyu, where the true extent of this stunning creation will hit you, as you walk the castellated stone, and trace the wall’s progress as it disappears into the horizon, cresting mountains for as far as the eye can see.

Hotels in Beijing

Beijing is littered with hotels - so whether you’re looking to live like royalty in a palatial suite, or save your cash in cheap and cheerful digs, the choice is yours. Magnificent, 5-star options range from tastefully recreated imperial palaces, to glass slabs, which boldly pierce the Beijing sky. Look out over the city’s jagged skyline from your balcony, and breathe in the smell of freshly-picked tea leafs, as they brew in your room. Cheaper hotels in Beijing tone down the luxury a little, but you can still enjoy high speed internet access, international television, and the chance to work up a sweat in attached fitness centers and swimming pools.

Where to stay

Escape the congestion, and motor along Beijing’s streets by bicycle. The Dongcheng neighborhood is perfect for this, locating you right in the heart of the city, and giving easy access to amazing sights like the Zhihua Temple – with its tall Buddhist statues, and patrolling stone lions. For a taste of old Beijing, the Gulou area is effortlessly cool, and has escaped the gentrification that’s seen other neighborhoods rocketing skywards. Explore the tangle of narrow streets - or hutongs - which have survived the modernization, and see if you can resist the smell of chaun’r - charcoaled lamb kebabs – as they sizzle enticingly on authentic street stalls.

How to get to Beijing

Getting to a city of Beijing’s size is simple - but honing in on your hotel takes a little more planning. Beijing Capital International is the entry point for most and, having been updated ahead of the Olympics, it’s well placed to handle its status as one of the world’s busiest airports. High speed - and standard - train connections link the capital with other cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai, while the massive subway system makes getting around manageable. Taxis are plentiful, but beware of rickshaws, as some drivers target tourists with scams.