Beijing Hotel & Travel Destination Guide

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Country Code: CN
Source: Fastcheck Arrival Guides

Population:
15 million

Currency:
1 Yuan = 10 Jiao

Opening hours:
Businesses are generally open from Monday to Friday, 9.00 until 18.00.
Many shops are also open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tourist information:
Xuanwu Bureau
Address: 3 Hufang Road
Tel: +86 (0)10 6351 0018
Opening hours: 9.00 to 18.00

Beijing

Beijing is a great city - literally speaking. Famous Tiananmen Square is big enough to hold one million people, while the historic Forbidden City is home to thousands of imperial rooms. And Beijing is growing. The capital has witnessed the emergence of more and higher rising towers, new restaurants and see-and-be-seen nightclubs. But at the same time, the city has managed to retain its very individual charm. The small tea houses in the backyards, the traditional fabric shops, the old temples and the noisy street restaurants make this city special.

Beijing City

Beijing: Nowhere else can you find so many historic sites so close to each other. The famous Forbidden City and nearby Tiananmen Square, mark the centre of Beijing. North of it lies the popular Qianhai Lake, where locals cool down in the hot summer months. The Chongwen district to the south of the Forbidden City houses the Temple of Heaven, while the Chaoyang district in the east is well-known for its trendy restaurants and bars.

Right now, there is no better time to visit Beijing as the city is in the midst of preparations for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. Thousands of construction workers are refurbishing old buildings and erecting shiny new skyscrapers to prepare the Chinese capital for the global sporting event. New restaurants, clubs and bars are sprouting up, making the city more vibrant with every passing day.

Yet, Beijing is still managing to retain its traditional charm. A stroll alongside the city’s old shopping streets with its many silk, antique and tea shops give visitors a unique insight into Chinese culture. And of course, Beijing is also a culinary capital. From traditional Chinese dumplings to the original Beijing Duck, Beijing’s hundreds of restaurant and food stalls are sure to stimulate your taste buds.

Things to See and Do in Beijing

Beijing is heaven for sightseeing fans. The city boasts well-known historic sites as well as many temples that attract thousands of visitors every year. The nearby Great Wall of China is clearly a must-see. Below is a list of some of the city’s major tourist attractions.

Tiananmen Square
The 400,000 square metres large area is a key historic centre of Beijing. It was here that the former Communist Party leader Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Today, thousands of visitors come here every year to see Mao’s remains in the mausoleum, visit the Great Hall of the People that houses the country’s National People’s Congress and admire the 15th Century Qianmen City Gate, which once divided Beijing’s ancient inner city and the suburban areas.
Address: Tiananmen Dong
Underground: Tiananmen Dong
Phone: +86 (0)10 6524 3322

The Forbidden City
Built by Emperor Yongle in the early 15th Century, the 720,000 square metres Forbidden City was home to the imperial household. It was opened to the public in 1949. The well-preserved area boasts more than 800 buildings and 9999.5 rooms. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, beautifully decorated with thousands of Dragons, was used to celebrate the Chinese emperor’s birthday. The Palace of Heavenly Purity served as the emperors’ living area and features several bedrooms.
Address: Tiananmen Dong
Underground: Tiananmen Dong, Tiananmen Xi
Phone: +86 (0)10 6513 2255

Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was once used by the imperial family as a retreat from the stress of Beijing city life. The grounds include a range of buildings and gardens including the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity as well as the stunning Fragrant Buddha Tower, which offers superb views of Kunming Lake.
Address: Yiheyuan Lu
Underground: District Haidian
Phone: +86 (0)10 6288 1144

Temple Of Heaven
This enormous park was built in the early 15th Century, around the same time the Forbidden City was constructed. The park hosts several intriguing buildings. In the north of the park, a stone carved stairway leads up to the entrance of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its cylindrical blue-tiled roof and a beautifully decorated ceiling. It was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground in 1889, but was carefully reconstructed the following year. The Hall of Abstinence was used by emperors for fasting. In the south you will find the Round Altar, a three-tiered marble platform.
Address: Tiantan Donglu
Underground: Qianmen
Phone: +86 (0)10 6702 8866

Lama Temple
Originally built in 1694 as the residence of the future Yongzheng Emperor, this complex of beautifully designed buildings was transformed into a Tibetan Buddhist Temple in the mid 18th century. The Falun Dian, the temple’s teaching and assembly hall, features a large bronze statute of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Buddhist Yellow Hat sect.
Address: Yonghe Gong Dajie 12
Underground: Yonghe Gong/Lama Temple
Phone: +86 (0)10 6404 4499

Factory 798
This well-known art centre is based inside a defunct, 1950’s concrete factory. It features photographic exhibitions, video installations and other art themes.
Address: Jiuxianqiao Lu, Jiuxianqiao Beilu
Phone: +86 (0)10 6438 4862

Liulichang
This street is a must for antique-hunters: be it Chinese paintings, ancient books, calligraphy brushes or ink stones you are sure to find it on Liulichang. A favourite among calligraphers and scholars in the old days, the 750 metres long street was restored and expanded in the late 1980’s.
Address: Liulichang Street, Xuanwu District
Underground: Hepingmen

The Great Wall Of China
Undoubtedly one of the world’s top tourism destinations, the Great Wall is a stunning monument stretching over 5,000 kilometres and is even visible from space. When in Beijing, the most convenient place to view the wall is from Badaling in Yanqing County, situated around 70 kilometres from the Chinese capital. Take one of the Tourist Buses leaving from Qianmen Station or Bus 919 departing from Deshengmen Station.
Phone: +86 (0)10 6912 1235

Eating in Beijing

Chinese cuisine is no doubt one of the most popular across the globe — and it is not surprising that you’ll find the best Chinese food in China! A visit to Beijing is not complete without having sampled the local speciality, the crispy Beijing Duck, which is served with pancakes, spring onions and fermented bean paste. However, Beijing also has a lot of fabulous international restaurants — from Brazilian to Japanese cuisine plus American-style fast food.

Old Dock
Welcome aboard a traditional Chinese riverboat, this restaurant serves fine Cantonese cuisine in a romantic
atmosphere. It is part of the Asia Hotel.
Address: 8 Xinzhong Xijie
Underground: Dongsishitiao
Phone: +86 (0)10 6500 7788
Internet: www.bj-asiahotel.com.cn

Fangshan Restaurant
Set up more than 80 years ago by royal chefs, the Fangshan serves Chinese dishes such as Beijing Duck. It is based inside a grand mansion in a beautiful location alongside Lake Beihai.
Address: 1 Wenjing Jie, Beihai Park, Xicheng District
Underground: Fuchengmen (then take bus 101)
Phone: +86 (0)10 6401 1879

Restaurant Xiheyaju
A favourite among expats, this restaurant serves Sichuan cuisine featuring ingredients such as duck claws. It isnestled in a quiet courtyard.
Address: Northeast of the Ri Tan Park, Jianguomenwai area
Underground: Bus line: 28

Alameda
This chic, popular restaurant specialises in Brazilian cuisine and serves Brazil’s national dish feijoada - a stew of black beans and meat served with rice.
Address: Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang district (next to the Nali mall)
Underground: Bus line: 113
Phone: +86 (0)10 6417 8084

Steak And Eggs
A US-style diner serving fried eggs, potatoes, toast and other Western dishes. Also has a good selection of cakes.
Address: 5 Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai area
Underground: Yonganli
Phone: +86 (0)10 6592 8088

Gongdelin Vegetarian Restaurant
As its name suggests, this restaurant takes care of the non-meat eaters with a variety of vegetarian dishes. Local gourmets recommend the mushroom soup.
Address: 158 Qianmen Nandajie
Underground: Qianmen
Phone: +86 (0)10 6702 0867

EXCLUSIVE

Courtyard
This elegant restaurant offers great views of the Forbidden City. It specialises in fusion cuisine, combining Western and Asian flavours, and boasts a very comprehensive wine list.
Address: 95 Donghuamen Dajie
Underground: Tiananmen Dong
Phone: +86 (0)10 6526 8883

MID-RANGE

Gonin Byakusho
Tuck into original Japanese dishes in this traditionally designed restaurant inside the Beijing Hotel. The menu includes sushi, Address: 33 East Chang An Avenue
Underground: Wangfujing
Phone: +86 (0)10 6513 7766
Internet: www.chinabeijinghotel.com.cn/en/01/index.asp

BUDGET

Yong He
This Chinese fast food chain offers noodles, dumplings and other dishes in a simple, functional interior.
Address: Old Station, Qianmen
Underground: Qianmen
Phone: +86 (0)10 8844 0088

Beijing Cafes

Whether you are looking for a cup of freshly-brewed coffee or an exotic Chinese tea, the variety of coffee shops and teahouses in Beijing is almost endless. Many cafés serve fresh bread and cakes as well.

Qing Feng Guan
Take a break from stress of Beijing in this comfortable Chinese teahouse.
Address: Nanchang Jie
Underground: Tiananmen Xi
Phone: +86 (0)10 6603 5979

Tasty Taste
The cakes in this place are sure to make your mouth water. From Green Tea Cheese Cake to Red bean Mousse Cake and Blueberry Chocolate Mousse Cake, Tasty Taste has something for everyone.
Address: Gongrentiyuchang Beilu, Gongrentiyuchang Xilu, Dong
Cheng District
Underground: Dongsishitiao
Phone: +86 (0)10 6551 1822

Gustomenta
This colourfully decorated, Italian café is based on the busy Sanlitun Street and serves ice cream and espresso.
Address: Sanlitun Lu
Underground: Dongsishitiao, bus 113
Phone: +86 (0)10 6417 8890

Tea Time
Tea has played a great role in Chinese history: the first references to the tea leaves go back 5,000 years in Chinese literature. The hot beverage had originally been an herbal medicine, to aid digestion for instance. But at some point in time it was also used as currency for trading goods.

Beijing Bars and Nightlife

Fancy a bottle of China’s Tsingtao Beer, a cup of Japanese sake rice wine, or a pint of Guinness? Beijing has a large selection of bars catering to locals and international visitors — and it’s growing. Make sure you pay a visit to Sanlitun Street with its many pubs.

Frank’s Place
At Frank’s you can play a round of pool or watch sports on one of the TV screens. The place is popular among foreigners, thanks partly to the fact that it is serving Western beer.
Address: Gongrentiyuchang Donglu
Underground: Dongsishitiao
Phone: +86 (0)10 6507 2617

Bridge Bar
Popular for its roof terrace, which offers great views of the neighbourhood.
Address: 14 Yinding Qiao
Underground: Gulou
Phone: +86 (0)10 6615 1366

No Name Bar
This pub may not have a name, but it’s nevertheless popular and people come here for the splendid views of the Qianhai Lake. Locals sometimes refer to the bar by its owner’s name, Bai Feng.
Address: 3 Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District
Underground: Gulou
Phone: +86 (0)10 6401 8541

Bar Blu
A favourite among the local party crowd, people here bogey on the small dance floor or chill out on the lovely roof terrace. Bar Blu also hosts regular events, such as quiz nights.
Address: 4th floor of Tongli Studios,
Underground: Dongsishitiao
Phone: +86 (0)10 6416 7567

Shopping in Beijing

Beijing has long been a centre of trade. Today, it boasts over 13,000 stores spread across the city, offering anything from original Chinese handicrafts to international designer fashion.

Wangfujing Street is among the most popular shopping miles in town. It is home to new, shiny shopping malls and department stores selling trendy, expensive brand-name goods. Shoppers here will also find foreign language book stores, some arts and crafts shops as well as restaurants.

Qianmen Street is one of oldest shopping streets of its kind in Beijing. It is home to many old shops selling traditional Chinese goods such as fine teas, soft silk and cotton fabrics and shoes.

Liulichang Street is great for antiquities and has been a long-time favourite among scholars and calligraphers. Shops here are selling ink sticks, ink paste and other cultural goods, as well as some jewellery. If you think about taking up calligraphy, the sophisticated Chinese writing art, pay a visit to one of the stores on Liulichang to choose the most suitable equipment.

Another popular option for clothes is Xiushui Street, where both tourists and locals are hunting for bargain fabrics in all shapes and colours. Sanlitun Street, meanwhile, has witnessed the emergence of new and trendy designer shops.

Finally, if all this shopping makes you hungry, make sure you pay a visit to Hongqiao Market at Tiantan Donglu in the Chongwen district. There is a good wet market offering a wide range of seafood and fresh fish, including lobster and crabs, and features more exotic specialities such as snail meat.

Oriental Plaza
Beijing’s top shopping centre boasts 120,000 square metres of shops in a modern ambiance. It is home to
well-known Western and Asian brands and houses a Sony Science Museum and a cinema.
Address: 1 Dongchang’an Jie
Underground: Wangfujing
Phone: +86 (0)10 8518 8888

China World Shopping Centre
A premier choice for the city’s well-off with all the famous designer brands from Christian Dior to Gucci.
Address: 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie
Underground: Guomao

Ten Fu’s Tea
This chain sells high-quality tea from across the region. The friendly staff brews small cups of tea for ccustomers to sample.
Address: 65 Liulichang Dongjie
Underground: Hepingmen

Ruifuxiang
This traditional textile shop has been around for more than 110 years and sells hundreds of cotton, wool and silk textiles.
Address: 5 Dazhalan Xijie
Phone: +86 (0)10 6525 0764

Arts And Crafts World Mansion
This large store sells pretty much any art or craft souvenir you can think of: paintings, wood carvings, pottery, porcelain lamps, jade and much more.
Address: 200 Wangfujing Lu
Phone: +86(0)10 6528 8866

Beijing Hotels

Luxury Beijing Hotels

Grand Hyatt Beijing
This luxury hotel, just around the corner from the Tiananmen Square, boasts an indoor swimming pool in the design of a tropical lagoon. It has 555 art decor style rooms and offers all the amenities you’d expect from a deluxe hotel, including a Spa and a Fitness Centre.
Address: 1 East Chang An Avenue
Underground: Wangfujing

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The Peninsula Beijing
Tech gadgets, Internet. The hotel’s 525 rooms and suites offer complimentary wireless and wired Internet access, MP 3 / MP4 connectivity, silent fax machines, DVD/CD players, electronic bedside control panels, and telephones in bathrooms.
Address: 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006

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Good Value Beijing Hotels

Novotel Peace Beijing
Conveniently situated in the Wangfujing shopping district and only a short stroll away from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. This hotel - part of the well-known Accor chain - has comfortable rooms and an indoor swimming pool.
Address: 3 Jinyu Hutong
Underground: Wangfujing

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Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing
Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing is conveniently located in Guanganmen commercial and civic area, adjacent to the new Municipal Government Office Building and is within a stone’s throw from Beijing’s Financial Street.
Address: 1 Caiyuanjie, Xuanwuqu, Beijing 100053

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Cheap Beijing Hotels

Bamboo Garden Hotel
This hotel once served as the mansion of the Post Minister in the early 1920s. It has traditionally decorated rooms, including suites designed in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Address: 24 Xiaoshiqiao, Xicheng District
Underground: Gulou Dajie

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