Beijing Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Beijing

We really enjoyed this hostel. It has only been around for about 1 yr. The rooms are very clean, but small. We had to step over our overhead sized suitcases to walk around the bed and to the bathroom. Also, the room does not insulate well, so our nights were really cold. The location of the...more We really enjoyed this hostel. It has only been around for about 1 yr. The rooms are very clean, but small. We had to step over our overhead sized suitcases to walk around the bed and to the bathroom. Also, the room does not insulate well, so our nights were really cold. The location of the hostel is great, but the staff didn\'t really know much about getting around town or just general information for local attractions or events; so come prepared.close

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by thepowersinchina2402 – posted on Mar 28, 2008

2

Me second trip to Beijing left me with a much better impression than the first time around. I learned a valuable lesson from the first hostel I booked in the country: China is cheap. That means, don\'t book the cheapest hostel just to save a few yuan... This time around, I booked based on...more Me second trip to Beijing left me with a much better impression than the first time around. I learned a valuable lesson from the first hostel I booked in the country: China is cheap. That means, don\'t book the cheapest hostel just to save a few yuan... This time around, I booked based on ratings, and had a much better experience overall. With the preparation for the Olympic Games, the subway system has become more efficient, and it is a little easier to navigate the city. Overall, I had a much more enjoyable holiday in December.close

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by pskully – posted on Dec 22, 2007

9

Beijing is cold in the winter. I mean really cold. See the forbidden city and the Great wall (go on the very chinese tour from the station near Tianamen Sq aroun 160 yan) the city is not as charming and nice as Xian or Shanghai and the coldest of the weather is reflected in the coldness of the...more Beijing is cold in the winter. I mean really cold. See the forbidden city and the Great wall (go on the very chinese tour from the station near Tianamen Sq aroun 160 yan) the city is not as charming and nice as Xian or Shanghai and the coldest of the weather is reflected in the coldness of the people. Stayed too long probably because it was too cold to get ourselves organised. Didnt see the Summer palace butim sure its worth it. Also wander around Tianamen Sq (just don\'t buy a rolex of some tout) Our lest favorite chinese city and would reccomend XIan- SShanghai much more so. close

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by salokin – posted on Dec 21, 2007

7

Beijing is very noisy, busy, polluted and crowded. Every big city in China is nearly the same. The future of China is cities like Beijing Shanghai and Shenzhen. If you visit one you have visited them all. The only difference is the unique sites to visit. One Chinese temple is almost identical...more Beijing is very noisy, busy, polluted and crowded. Every big city in China is nearly the same. The future of China is cities like Beijing Shanghai and Shenzhen. If you visit one you have visited them all. The only difference is the unique sites to visit. One Chinese temple is almost identical to all the rest. There are many other cities in China worth visiting first, like Chengdu or Lijiang. The smaller cities have more character and are more relaxing to visit.close

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by anwood0011344 – posted on Nov 21, 2007

2

Beijing has a certain appeal which possibly no other city in China has. Being China\'s capital, it has pretty much everything from traditional cultural life to the modern western lifestyle. Great place to shop in, as long as you know how to bargain, and Beijing\'s Hutong-bars are ready...more Beijing has a certain appeal which possibly no other city in China has. Being China\'s capital, it has pretty much everything from traditional cultural life to the modern western lifestyle. Great place to shop in, as long as you know how to bargain, and Beijing\'s Hutong-bars are ready to greet her visitors who crave for good live music and thick local atmosphere. Traffic can be a killer during rush hours, as it jams badly (average speed during rush hour is 7km/h). All in all, Beijing is a must see for any traveler! close

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by p-navitas4787 – posted on Nov 9, 2007

1

An amazing city with loads to do and see. The city is one of the biggest in the world and you can certainly tell once there. The airport is fantastic, the transport is top notch and the people are brilliant. There are downsides to Beijing and they would have to be the pollution and the traffic....more An amazing city with loads to do and see. The city is one of the biggest in the world and you can certainly tell once there. The airport is fantastic, the transport is top notch and the people are brilliant. There are downsides to Beijing and they would have to be the pollution and the traffic. Other than that there is little wrong with Beijingclose

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by CryingHero – posted on Jul 25, 2007

42

Beijing was the start of our China Odyssey. All of our fears about language barrier, getting around were gone as soon as we shook hands with the taxi driver that drove us from the airport to our hotel. A place not to be missed with so much to see and do. Be wary of the conmen -- plenty of them,...more Beijing was the start of our China Odyssey. All of our fears about language barrier, getting around were gone as soon as we shook hands with the taxi driver that drove us from the airport to our hotel. A place not to be missed with so much to see and do. Be wary of the conmen -- plenty of them, from trying to sell caligraphy to offering taxi rides through the hutongs !!close

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by dannyt – posted on Jun 28, 2007

7

Travelling and living in Beijing is not easy: The language barrier is not coming down any time soon, whether due to a lack of multi-lingual signage or the widespread lack of second language speakers among the general populace. In a country whose mantra was ‘Serve the People’ for the better...more Travelling and living in Beijing is not easy: The language barrier is not coming down any time soon, whether due to a lack of multi-lingual signage or the widespread lack of second language speakers among the general populace. In a country whose mantra was ‘Serve the People’ for the better part of the past century, it is difficult to find tourist industry employees eager – or willing – to help. Infrastructural shortcomings mean traffic snarls, a subway system not yet operating for the benefit of much of the city and toilets not for the faint heated. But travelling and living in Beijing is, with a little effort and a stiff constitution, its own reward. From a gastronomically orgasmic hole-in-the-wall-restaurant experience to a five-star spa treatment, Beijing offers up some real jewels. Pick up a (free) copy of that’s Beijing, the city’s leading English magazine (available in hotels, bars and restaurants), for a more detailed guide to the city’s bar and restaurants. Beijing cuisine is defined by dumplings and noodles. Beijing’s most famous dish, Peking Duck, is a must. Try King Roast Duck, opposite the Friendship Store (24 Jianguomenwai Dajie, tel: 6515-6908) Arguably the most popular cuisine in Beijing is the spicy Sichuanese. Featuring copious amounts of chilli, two dishes jump off the menus of most restaurants: Water-boiled fish (shuizhu yu), a fish (or beef or pork) sliced up into an enormous boiling pot of oil packed full of chilli, ‘flower-peppers’ and veggies; and lazi ji, chunks of Fried chicken and Chili. Lastly, Head to the Silk Market (at the corner of Jianguomennei Dajie and Dongdaqiao Lu). In addition to North Face, Nike, Gucci, Seven jeans and any other brand names you can dream of, on the fourth floor, more pearls than just about anywhere…..close

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by emily – posted on Apr 30, 2007

27

big city, very spacious. Lots of attractions, the quintecential heart of China. If you have allergies, be carefull if you show up in spring time as there are lots of little floaty thingies that will make you sneeze, coupled with the pollution can make it difficult. Hopefully the city will keep...more big city, very spacious. Lots of attractions, the quintecential heart of China. If you have allergies, be carefull if you show up in spring time as there are lots of little floaty thingies that will make you sneeze, coupled with the pollution can make it difficult. Hopefully the city will keep improving for the olympic gamesclose

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by matshafferole7287 – posted on Apr 19, 2007

2

lm not a city person but l really enjoyed it. The food is excellent, its common to hook up with people and eat out every night. The acrobats and especially the kung fu show are a must, there are 4 very young kids in the show who are amazing. The kung fu show has broad artistic appeal such as...more lm not a city person but l really enjoyed it. The food is excellent, its common to hook up with people and eat out every night. The acrobats and especially the kung fu show are a must, there are 4 very young kids in the show who are amazing. The kung fu show has broad artistic appeal such as 'flying' and 'rain' scenes.close

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by scottsurfs5541 – posted on Mar 24, 2007

2