Staying in Beijing

Far East International Youth Hostel

Hotel | "A Traditional View of China?"

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In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics the face of Beijing changed completely as the authorities sought to modernize and beautify prior to the gaze of the world falling on the city. One of the most heavily-publicized aspects of this transformation was the disappearance of the traditional hutong areas of the city. For those not familiar with China or Chinese Architecture, hutongs are small tightly packed one-storey houses built around a central courtyard. Between 2005 and the lighting of the Olympic flame, vast swathes of these disappeared to be replaced by modern shopping developments, apartment buildings and office blocks.However, there was always one area that was never going to be in any da...Read More

In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics the face of Beijing changed completely as the authorities sought to modernize and beautify prior to the gaze of the world falling on the city. One of the most heavily-publicized aspects of this transformation was the disappearance of the traditional hutong areas of the city. For those not familiar with China or Chinese Architecture, hutongs are small tightly packed one-storey houses built around a central courtyard. Between 2005 and the lighting of the Olympic flame, vast swathes of these disappeared to be replaced by modern shopping developments, apartment buildings and office blocks.

However, there was always one area that was never going to be in any danger of going under the wrecking ball. The Qianmen district of the city, sits directly to the south of Tiananmen Square and represents one of the city's deepest mines of foreign tourist dollars. It is made up largely of hutongs and ramshackle buildings preserved to give the traditional Chinese feel and to make tourists believe they are getting a genuine authentic glimpse of China whilst they buy cheap silks and fake North face jackets. Much of the area was refurbished, re-painted and brought into the twenty-first century prior to the Olympics, but managed to stay intact – unlike areas a few kilometres to the east west and south.

Situated in the south of this area is the Far East Hotel/Hostel. Like most of the surrounding area, it's whole sales pitch is that guests get a taste of real China at close hand. Consequently, for those coming to China for the first time looking for a touristic experience, it is perfect. Not only is the location ideal for exploring the 'traditional' parts of the city, but it also offers tours to all the major sites and has a restaurant serving fantastic Chinese food – unusual for budget accommodation in China.

For those who have visited China before, or who or are looking for a slightly more authentic taste of 'traditional' China, it is not the best of choices as it has plenty of ticks in the negative column. Firstly, whilst the location is good for exploring the hutongs, it is quite a hike to Tiananmen and there are no subways or main roads close by, making it difficult to get to the rest of the city. It is also a little behind the times in terms of technology. Even in 2009 there was no wireless internet anywhere in the hotel and no connections in rooms. There were shared computers in the cafe and two cables in the lobby for laptops.

Aside from its rather romanticized location, there is not too much to recommend Far East. However, the rooms are clean and well kept, albeit slight bare. A double costs around 200rmb for the night. Read Less

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on June 14, 2025

Far East International Youth Hostel
90 Tieshuxie Jie
Beijing, China
+86 (10) 51958811

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Jade International Hostel

Hotel | "Cheap Beer, Cheap Sleep, Good Quality"

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Until the middle of 2006, whenever I took the train from Tianjin to Beijing for an overnight stay, I would always stay at either the Far East International Hostel or the Beijing City Central Hostel. Neither of these are particularly bad, but are easily eclipsed by the Jade International. I only changed my habits when I arranged to meet a friend of mine who had come to Beijing from Xi'an. He had booked in at the Jade and recommended I do the same.The Jade's location is in some ways awesome and in others not so great. It is literally right next door to the Forbidden City – the western wall of the Palace is less than 100m away. This makes the Jade the perfect place from which to explore the F...Read More

Until the middle of 2006, whenever I took the train from Tianjin to Beijing for an overnight stay, I would always stay at either the Far East International Hostel or the Beijing City Central Hostel. Neither of these are particularly bad, but are easily eclipsed by the Jade International. I only changed my habits when I arranged to meet a friend of mine who had come to Beijing from Xi'an. He had booked in at the Jade and recommended I do the same.

The Jade's location is in some ways awesome and in others not so great. It is literally right next door to the Forbidden City – the western wall of the Palace is less than 100m away. This makes the Jade the perfect place from which to explore the Forbidden City, Beihai Park, Tiananmen Square and the surrounding hutong areas. However, the downside to this is that (1) its is not particularly close to a subway – Tiananmen west is a 15 minute walk away – and (2) It is tucked away down a side street which makes it difficult to locate when you first arrive in Beijing or when you are returning from a night out around the bars in Sanliturn – I can strongly attest to this after aimlessly wandering the hutongs for almost an hour after enjoying one two many one balmy summer evening.

The Jade is clean and well kept. Like most hostels in China, its dorm rooms offer far more value for money than the private rooms. When two of my friends came to visit, we booked out a four bed room, which was clean bright and modern. However, whenever I took a private room, I found it a little dark and not worth the extra. The best part of the Jade though is the social options it provides. The café area serves excellent food at very reasonable prices. The western options are good – such as burgers and pizzas – the Chinese food is a little predictable and less value. It also serves beer at the frighteningly reasonable price of 3rmb per bottle – which is cheaper than many supermarkets. The combination of food and cheap drinks ensures that in the evening the bar is often full to bursting.

A dorm room in the Jade costs usually around 80rmb. It is certainly good value as the hostel is clean, fun and friendly, if a little hard to find. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 14, 2025

Jade International Hostel
No.5 north Zhi De Alley, Beiheyan Street
Beijing, China 100006

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Beijing City Central

Hotel | "Right in the Center"

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It was early 2006 and I was planning my trip around China with my buddy Oz. Our base was going to be Beijing. We planned to stay there for a week or so to see the standard tourist sites – Tiananmen, Great Wall Forbidden City etc – before spreading our wings across the Middle Kingdom. I would be flying into Beijing from the UK and Oz would be taking the ferry from Korea. Neither of us had a Chinese cellphone and Oz would be travelling for almost two days to reach the Chinese capital. Therefore, we were worried that meeting was not going to be easy. So, we decided we wanted to find the most convenient and centrally located hostel in Beijing to make it easier to meet up.We opted for the Beiji...Read More

It was early 2006 and I was planning my trip around China with my buddy Oz. Our base was going to be Beijing. We planned to stay there for a week or so to see the standard tourist sites – Tiananmen, Great Wall Forbidden City etc – before spreading our wings across the Middle Kingdom. I would be flying into Beijing from the UK and Oz would be taking the ferry from Korea. Neither of us had a Chinese cellphone and Oz would be travelling for almost two days to reach the Chinese capital. Therefore, we were worried that meeting was not going to be easy. So, we decided we wanted to find the most convenient and centrally located hostel in Beijing to make it easier to meet up.

We opted for the Beijing City Central because it is slap bang outside the main railway station. Not only does this mean it is in central Beijing close to one of the city's biggest landmarks, but it also means it is right next to a subway station (Beijing Railway Station on the Blue line). Thankfully, the location served us well and we met with little fuss. However, we found that the the City Central Hostel was a great place to stay for more than just its location. And, I have returned several times since when in need of a cheap place to stay in the big smoke.

The City Central Hostel is split over two separate sections. The third and fourth floors are taken up by hostel style accommodation. There are two, four and six people rooms that use shared bathrooms. The rooms are good, clean and cheap, but the bathrooms are not the most shining and sparkling. The fifth floor is taken up by a budget hotel that offers double and single room with free internet access. These are clean and well maintained, but still have the feel of a hostel. They come in at almost 250rmb, which is not much cheaper than the far superior budget chains such as Motel 168 and Hanting.

The City Central Hostel offers many of the services you would expect from a hostel including luggage storage and a tour services. However, the staff operating the tour desk speak poor English and are less than helpful. A bed at the City Central Hostel costs from 60rmb up to 100rmb. It is recommended for its location and convenience, but perhaps not for comfort and style.
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Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 14, 2025

Beijing City Central
No.1 Beijingzhanqianjie
Beijing, China 100005
+86 (10) 65258866

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Hua Tong Xin Hotel

Hotel | "A Stereotype Becomes Reality"

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Before I moved to China, I read countless stories depicting horrendous customer service and describing hotels dating back to the Communist era in which the staff were hideously rude and unhelpful, and where hot water was considered a luxury. However, in my first two years in the Middle Kingdom, I never really found anything that came close to such a horrific image. Even in remote areas such as Ningxia or Shanxi, I was able to find places that, even though they may have been a little rustic, were certainly passable for a night or two.Things changed, though, on a late October evening when I stayed at the Hua Tong Xin Hotel in Beijing and found myself living the stereotyped image of poor Chi...Read More

Before I moved to China, I read countless stories depicting horrendous customer service and describing hotels dating back to the Communist era in which the staff were hideously rude and unhelpful, and where hot water was considered a luxury. However, in my first two years in the Middle Kingdom, I never really found anything that came close to such a horrific image. Even in remote areas such as Ningxia or Shanxi, I was able to find places that, even though they may have been a little rustic, were certainly passable for a night or two.

Things changed, though, on a late October evening when I stayed at the Hua Tong Xin Hotel in Beijing and found myself living the stereotyped image of poor Chinese customer service. I was in Beijing on business. Usually, in such a situation, my company would arrange accommodation at one of China's well-known budget hotel chains – Hanting, Motel 168, Home Inn. Despite their low prices, these hotels almost always proved top be perfectly serviceable. However, on this particular evening, our two regular options were full. So, they sent me to the Hua Tong Xin. It was not a pleasant experience.

I had spent the day delivering Business English training at the Regus Business Centre in Jianguomen. I had then enjoyed dinner at the excellent Traktor Pushkin and a few beers in Sanliturn. As a consequence, I arrived at Hua Tong at quite a late hour – somewhere around 1. Upon arrival, I had to wake the lady at reception who was fast asleep in her chair. She then proceeded to berate me for arriving so late and having the audacity to interrupt her slumber. After relieving me of 300rmb she handed me a key and gestured in the direction of the stairs. "Your room, second floor", she barked. I headed upstairs and let myself into the room. It was basic and clean, although the bathroom was far from the height of luxury. As I needed to be up early the next day I simply decided to get some sleep.

I awoke early the next morning to the bitter chill of a biting wind blowing in through a crack between the window frame and the wall. It was 6am, but as I was so cold, I decided I would get up, take a hot shower and get on with the day. This was a sound plan. The only problem was the lack of hot water in the bathroom. Upon turning on the shower I was greeted by a torrent of icy water gushing from the rusty shower head. As I am no big fan of cold showers I thought I would head downstairs to see what the problem was and also to inquire about the possibility of finding an iron to press my shirt for work.

At reception, the same cheerful lady from the previous evening greeted me and quickly informed me that there would be no hot water until 8am – by which time I would have left. Despite my protestations she assured me this was a hotel rule and that I would have to live with it. I then asked after an iron. Again, I would have no luck. Apparently, their was not a single iron in the whole building and I would have to go to work creased. At this point, I decided there was nothing else for it, but to cut my losses and leave in a huff. The story ends around 30 minutes later as I banged on a friend's front door to ask him if I could borrow an iron and use his shower. Thankfully, he was much more helpful than Hua Tong Xin.

Hua Tong Xin is located in the Dongzhimen area of the city. Rooms are around 300rmb per night. Do not stay there. Read Less

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on June 13, 2025

Hua Tong Xin Hotel
Dongzhimen
Beijing

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Hanting Dongzhimen

Hotel | "Perfect for the Night Before a Flight"

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On the first few times I flew back to the UK from China, I took the bus from Tianjin to Beijing Capital Airport. As flights to the UK usually leave in the morning or early afternoon, I had to set off early to be there to check-in two hours before. ON most occasions I would be up at 4.30 to get onto the 6am bus. This was never particularly pleasant. However, I decided to change my habits after one of those early morning journeys almost left me stranded in China.It was Christmas 2007 and I was scheduled to leave on the 12.30 KLM flight to Amsterdam before flying on to Manchester. I boarded the bus at 6am, confident I would there well before my 10.30am check-in time. As we set off I closed my...Read More

On the first few times I flew back to the UK from China, I took the bus from Tianjin to Beijing Capital Airport. As flights to the UK usually leave in the morning or early afternoon, I had to set off early to be there to check-in two hours before. ON most occasions I would be up at 4.30 to get onto the 6am bus. This was never particularly pleasant. However, I decided to change my habits after one of those early morning journeys almost left me stranded in China.

It was Christmas 2007 and I was scheduled to leave on the 12.30 KLM flight to Amsterdam before flying on to Manchester. I boarded the bus at 6am, confident I would there well before my 10.30am check-in time. As we set off I closed my eyes and decided to snooze my way to the airport. I awoke at around 9am to find the bus shrouded in heavy fog and working its way along a windy country lane – apparently the government had closed the highway due to the fog. Straight away I could see I was in danger of being late. So, I called KLM to see if the flight would be delayed. To my horror I discovered that the fog covered only Tianjin and the flight was scheduled to leave on time. From that point on, the whole journey was a touch and go affair as to whether I would be able to board my flight. Eventually, the fog subsided and we arrived at just after 11am. Thankfully, the KLM staff were very understanding and allowed me to check-in.

That experience was enough to convince me that I should no longer risk the early morning bus and should find a hotel in Beijing the night before my flight. So, when I returned later that year, I found the Hanting Inn in Dongzhimen. I must preface the description of this hotel with the fact that I am a massive fan of the Hanting chain. They are budget hotels – costing less than 300rmb per night – that are extremely comfortable and offer friendly and efficient service. I have used them all across China and recommended them to anyone coming to the Middle Kingdom. Like most budget options inj China – such as Motel 168 or Home Inn – they are clean and well-kept, but Hanting always seems to surpass those basic expectations.

The Dongzhimen branch is unbelievably difficult to find. The first time I used it, I found myself walking around the areas back-streets for over an hour before chancing upon it. However, once I found it, it was easy to see it was in a great position. It was barely 300m away from the airport train station and is also close to the Ginza Mall, which is full of great shops and restaurants. Aside from the location, the hotel is basic, but very clean. The beds are large and comfortable, the showers powerful and well-kept and the rooms spacious. There is also free wi-fi and morning coffee. The staff do not speak a huge amount of English, but are tremendously friendly.

A double room with a king-sized bed is 275rmb per evening. Other rooms are cheaper. It is the perfect location for those flying out from Beijing.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 11, 2025

Hanting Dongzhimen
Dongzhimen Waixie Street
Beijing, China

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Fortune-Land International Hotel

Hotel | "A Serious Break From the Norm"

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My girlfriend and I stayed at the Fortune Land Hotel as part of a short weekend break in Beijing. It proved to be one of the most unusual and quirky hotels I have ever stayed at and is certainly worth checking out. It boasts some of the most unusual décor and interior design I have ever encountered. This proved a refreshing change as way too many hotels in China seem satisfied to lay a marble floor and throw in a few Ming style vases and the odd carved dragon and expect guests to feel impressed.The drive leading to Fortune Land is framed by a tunnel made up of large red, irregular squared arches. These were an interesting enough introduction to the hotel, but they paled into comparison wit...Read More

My girlfriend and I stayed at the Fortune Land Hotel as part of a short weekend break in Beijing. It proved to be one of the most unusual and quirky hotels I have ever stayed at and is certainly worth checking out. It boasts some of the most unusual décor and interior design I have ever encountered. This proved a refreshing change as way too many hotels in China seem satisfied to lay a marble floor and throw in a few Ming style vases and the odd carved dragon and expect guests to feel impressed.

The drive leading to Fortune Land is framed by a tunnel made up of large red, irregular squared arches. These were an interesting enough introduction to the hotel, but they paled into comparison with the lobby. The first thing we noticed when we entered was the ceiling. It was made of pink perspex and was dotted with large white plastic mushrooms that hung down. The quirkiness remained at the check-in desk which was surrounded by a small moat full of goldfish happily swimming by our feet as we received our room keys.

Our room was also similarly unusual. The bed was of normal shape and size. However, the wall behind it was covered with a large hand-painted mural completed in oils. The remaining walls were painted a deep red and were punctuated with metal half-spheres that served as lights and radiated a futuristic type of illumination that gave a very science-fiction type feel. Possibly the most striking aspect of the room, though, was the bathroom. Or, to be precise, the door. It was made from red glass and was easy to see straight through. This was great when my partner was taking a shower and created a very romantic mood. On the other hand, we agreed that it also worked to cool things dramatically when either of use went to use the facilities.

Fortune Land was a fantastic break from the norm and I would certainly recommend it for a one-off stay. However, it is around five years old and has not been refurbished in that period, so there is a slightly worn feel to much of the furniture. It is also very close to a major road and the noise from the traffic can, at times, be heard in the rooms. Rooms come in at around 400rmb.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 11, 2025

Fortune-Land International Hotel
38 Baiziwan Road
Beijing, China
+86 10 877 18866

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Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong Ma

Hotel | "Very Swiss, Very Good, But a Little Bland"

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The Swissotel is one of the most easily recognisable buildings in Beijing – modern buildings at least. It is situated at the junction of the second ring road and Gongti Bei Lu. Not only is this prime real estate, but the building boats a distinctive bronze(ish) exterior and classically curved lines. It is also one of the most popular places to stay in the Chinese capital.As the name might suggest, the Swissotel is managed by a Swiss company and looks to offer high quality service, synonymous with the country and high quality brands such as Victorinox, lIndt and Tissot. In a country where customer service is often criminally overlooked, this is quite a task. However, on the whole the Swisso...Read More

The Swissotel is one of the most easily recognisable buildings in Beijing – modern buildings at least. It is situated at the junction of the second ring road and Gongti Bei Lu. Not only is this prime real estate, but the building boats a distinctive bronze(ish) exterior and classically curved lines. It is also one of the most popular places to stay in the Chinese capital.

As the name might suggest, the Swissotel is managed by a Swiss company and looks to offer high quality service, synonymous with the country and high quality brands such as Victorinox, lIndt and Tissot. In a country where customer service is often criminally overlooked, this is quite a task. However, on the whole the Swissotel does a good job in several areas.

Chief amongst the Swissotel's highlights is the food. The buffet is genuinely spectacular. The breakfast option is truly impressive. There are chefs on stand-by to create eggs and omelettes to your specific requirements. There is a lavish array of fruits and cereals. And, there are plenty of heartier option such as bacon and sausage. As a red-blooded Englishman, the latter proved particularly pleasing. However, as great as breakfast is, lunch surpasses it in style. There is a fantastic variety of seafood, with wonderful selection of lobster and shellfish. There is also a fantastic variety of pastas. And, the duck is simply serene.

The one drawback I found with the Swissotel was the interior design and décor. Whilst it still reaches the expected standards, it is rather dull and unimaginative. I found my room to be tremendously comfortable and exceptionally clean, but also something of a let down. It seemed to lack any type of verve. This may not seem much of a concern, but with rooms coming in at over 700rmb per night, I was expecting a little more for my money.

The Swissotel is one of the safest and surest bets for accommodation in Beijing. The service is very good and it is very well located – Dongshishitao subway is 10m away from the front door. However, it can be a little bland for some tastes. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 11, 2025

Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong Ma
NO. 2 CHAO YANG MEN BEI DA JIE
Beijing, China
86-1065532288

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Beijing Journals

Far East International Youth Hostel

Jade International Hostel

Beijing City Central

Hua Tong Xin Hotel

Hanting Dongzhimen

Fortune-Land International Hotel

Swissotel Beijing Hong Kong Ma

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