Neighborhood guide
Where to Stay in Beijing
The 3 areas worth basing yourself in Beijing, China — ranked by our editors, with walking distances from the center. First-timers: start with Hutongs (Dongcheng).
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We’ll match Beijing’s neighborhoods to how you travel — and show you why.
Top pick
Hutongs (Dongcheng)
Old grey-brick lanes — courtyards, dumpling shops, the Drum Tower.
22 min walk from center
#2
Sanlitun
Nightlife and shopping district — bars, restaurants, designer boutiques.
4.0 km from center
#3
Wangfujing
Pedestrian shopping street — souvenir stalls, big-brand stores, snack streets.
27 min walk from center
Getting around
Subway is extensive and cheap; use Didi (China’s Uber) for evenings or remote sights.
Get a VPN sorted before arriving so Google Maps and Gmail work; download offline maps as backup.