With the globalization 3.0 coming, individual tourists have easy access to the huge inforamtion from internet on the city or the country they are going to visit.Some tourists have the time and the brain to select the necessary travel informtion to fulfill their independent travel dreams. Beijing independent travel is possible if you are brave and going to take the adventures. We, as a local travel agency in Beijing, have compiled the followingunbiased Beijing independent travel information for those independent travelers to Beijing.
Beijing is a city of contrasts of past and present: massive,brand-new skyscrapers over neighbouring shabby courtyards; modern young women sitting in BMW against old men in full Mao-time jackets playing mahjong deep in an ancient alley. Beijing is a city that under a drive to modern society and its look backward at its glorius tradition. Though, the city has suffer heavy traffic, some pollution, serious dust storms and overpopulation, these minuses never belittle the city's colourful nightlife, culture, and hitorical sites.
Travelling and living in Beijing is not difficult: The language barrier is disappearing with more and more young people learning second language. You will find it is easy to find tourist industry employees eager and willing to be helpful. Infrastructure is improving though Beijing's traffic is not exciting. Like any big city in the world, Beijing government is investing heavily in speeding up the road construction.Toilets, once not for the faint hearted , now is becoming clean and tidy. Beijing has rich historical sites, vivid nightlife and also is a world of shopping.
Arriving in Beijing and getting to your hotel:
When you arrive at the Beijing Capital Airport, you may take a rest and have some coffee at Starbucks or KFC that have new outlets outside the international arrivals.
Most of the international incoming flights land on the terminal two while terminal one is for a few domestic flights. The second floor for terminal two is for arriving flights and the first floor is for outgoing flights.So when you arriving at Beijing capital airport, you are on the first floor of the terminal two. Right now, you have two ways to reach the city from the airport. One is to take the airport shuttle bus. You go out of the hall and will find some coaches waiting outside. There are several lines. Please be sure where you are going and choose the right line. It costs about RMB 20 ( USD 3 ). Or you may take taxi. Lots of taxis are waiting outside
For taking taxi, please pass through the "black cab drivers" who are following at your heels. These black taxi whose rates are far above the going fare and head straight for the taxi line outside the arrival doors. Make sure they use the meter, and if you notice irregularities, just point it out. Even local residents like myself are sometimes the victims of meters that ominously read RMB100 (until, with the push of a button, the original fare is restored). You will have to pay an extra RMB10 (roughly US$1 = RMB8) for the Airport Expressway toll. Once it is learned that a foreign tourist is overcharged RMB 400 from the airport to the downtown area! Normally the ride costs RMB around RMB 150.Most taci driver speaks little English, maybe , just a few words. So please show your hotel in Chinese. Airport taxis come in RMB2. The flag of the former drops at RMB12 and goes up in RMB2 increments per kilometre after four kilometres.Taxis can be rented for the whole day for 8 hours, and the best way to do this is to bargain directly with the driver. Expect to pay at least RMB350 for the day.
Remember: Tipping is a routine of life in restaurants and bars. Deluxe hotel bars and restaurants will add a 15 percent service charge.
Local people often say " ring road " when talking about the city roads in Beijing. Ring Roads circle the city: The city has now six ring roads. The first ring road theortically circles the Forbidden City ,which is the centerof the city, but in reality, it doesn't exist. People regard the city within the third ring road as city proper. When people talk about city ceter, it means the area around Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City. The city is administrationally divided into several districts: They are Chaoyang District, which stretches from the centre of the city all the way out to the Olympic sites in the north. Dongcheng District lies directly east of the Forbidden City, Xicheng District to the west; Xuanwumen District to the south, and Haidian, holding many of the capital’s universities, in the north of the city. There are currently three subway lines, and many more theunder construction; Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing, Qianmen, and Lama Temple and Confucius are can be reachable by subway. There are lots of public buses linking the city major sites. There are also tour buses to some major scenic spots in the city and the suburbs.
Must to see "scenic and historical sites in Beijing:
There are five major scenic spots for first - time visitors to Beijing, namely, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace ( thesethree are within the city ); Great Wall and Ming Tomb ( the two sites are in the suburb). To cover the 5 sites, you have to spend 2 full days. Tiananmen Square can be coupled with the visit to Forbidden City since they are next to each other.In the evening, if you are not dog-tired, you can mix with the local people, and go to Wangfujing Street shopping and enjoying local flavors at Donghuamen night market. The other night, you may go to Houhai Bar street to take a rest havingsome drinks while enjoying the night view of the Houhai lake.If you only have one day free in Beijing, we suggest you visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Great Wall -- the highlight of the Beijing highlight! If you have an extra day in Beijing ( third full day ), you may go to visit Hutong by taking rickshaw. Still, if you have more free time, you can take some side trips to Chengde, Beihdaihe, Mountain Tai, Qufu or Datong. If you have time for sightseeing, you can go to Xian, Shanghai or Guilin, even Yangtze River cruise. The scenic spots and tour cities just mentioned are the "must to see" sites while you travel in Beijing China.
Beijing business and tourist hotels:
There was certainlyplenty of hotels in Beijing .hotels. The local govenment divide the hotels into five classes: 5 star, 4 star, 3 star, 2 star, 1 star. Each stared hotel has a plaque with the star on it. While each Beijing hotel listed here willprovide rooms,dining, health and fitness facilitiesand necessary business service.Beijing business hotels, of course, are on par with the best anywhere.Each deluxe hotelshas a 15 percent service charge. The following isnot a complete listing but covers some good Beijing business and tourist hotels, lodgings located close to tourist sites. We also put some Beijing budget none - star hotels for those backpackers.
5 Star Hotels:
1) The Peninsula Beijing
The Peninsula Palace Hotel, Beijing offers the most prestigious shopping arcade in the city. The hotel is ideally located in the "Old Quarters" area, surrounded by historic Ming houses, quaint alleys and Chinese curio shops. Within walking distance of Beijing's main attractions. The Palace Hotel, Beijing is located in the very center of Beijing, between the main shopping areas of Wangfujing and Dongdan. It is within easy walking distance of The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Museum of Chinese History. Situated 30kms from Beijing International Airport and 2kms from the Beijing Railway Station.
Addr: 8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006, China Tel: 0086-10-65592888
2)The Hyatt Beijing
The Grand Hyatt is the latest addition to this ancient city, offering the best of both worlds - A subtle blend of Western and Oriental traditions encompassing contemporary design and convenience with classic standards of service and excellence. The top luxury 5-star hotel in Beijing. Located just 40 minutes from Beijing Airport, our location at the crossroads of Chang An Avenue and Wangfujing places you at the heart of the prestigious business and commercial district, in Beijing's newest landmark, the Oriental Plaza. At the same time, you are also within walking distance of China's most treasured spot, the Forbidden City.
Addr:No. 1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing Tel: 0086-10-85181234
3)The Shangri-La Beijing
The Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing is located west of the city just 30 minutes from the commercial and business center of Beijing. This world famous chain has once again managed to produce a fabulous hotel here right in the heart of Beijing, providing excellent services and real luxury. The Shangri-La offers superb business and conference facilities and also provides a good catering service. The hotel gym, sports club and health center are all first-class. The Beijing Shangri-La is deservedly recognized as one of the best places to stay in the city. Addr: No.29 Zizhuyuan Road Haidian District, Beijing Tel: 0086-10-68412211
4)China Grand Hotel Beijing
The Grand Hotel, Beijing is superbly located on Beijing's main thoroughfare, East Chang'an Avenue. It lies just a several minutes walking distance from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Wangfujing, currently being re-developed as the capital's premier shopping district, is only a couple of minutes walking to the east. The Beijing Railway station is only ten minutes away by car, while the new West Railway Station is 30 minutes away. Addr: No.35 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, China Tel: 0086-10-65137788
5)the Kerry Centre Hotel Beijing
The Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing, is a stylish and modern luxury hotel situated in the Chaoyang district, the city's diplomatic, commercial and financial center. The city's popular historical sites, such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, are also just a short distance away, making it ideal for both business and leisure travelers alike.
Addr: No.1 Guang Hua Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China Tel: 0086-10-65618833
6)The Crown Plaza Hotel Wangfujing
The Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn (Beijing guoji yiyuan huangguan fandian) is located at the junction of Wangfujing Road and Dengshikou Road. The location is great: opposite Tian'anmen Square, adjacent to the Forbidden City and surrounded by shopping centers. All the guest rooms are well equipped for business travelers or tourists. In the executive lounge, complimentary continental breakfast, cocktails and canapes are also offered. A butler service is available on request.
Addr:Beijing 48 Wangfujing ZipCode:100006 Tel:010 65133388 Fax:010 65132526
The Swissotel Hotel, Beijing, is in the centre of the fast growing commercial and diplomatic areas. Just 10 minutes drive to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The Swissotel Hotel provides many leisure facilities including a indoor pool, tennis court and spa. Rooms are well decorated in a European style and have good high standard amenities.The hotel is located on the second ring road in the commercial and diplomatic district, allowing for exceptional advantages in terms of geographic position and surroundings.European-style and warm Asian hospitality characterize this charming downtown hotel. You will love the personalized service, fine dining created by chefs from all over the world, efficient business support and those extra touches for which Swissotels are renowned.
Addr: Dong Si Shi Tiao Li Jiao Qiao, P.O. Box 9153 Beijing Tel:86-10-65532288
8)The Hilton Beijing
Chaoyang Commercial District area. The hotel offers three Executive floors with club room service, a fully-equipped business center, extensive conference and banqueting facilities, five restaurants and a bar, and a fully equipped leisure center including health club, indoor swimming pool, tennis and squash courts. It is located in the Diplomatic District with easy access to the city center. The hotel is only a short distance from the Agricultural Exhibition Center, the China International Exhibition Center, You Yi Shopping Center and a 9-hole golf course.Addr: 1 Dong Fang Road North Dong Sanhuan Road 100027 Beijing
Tel: 0086-10-64662288
9)Kempinski Hotel Beijing
Kempinski, a 5-Star hotel, is located at the heart of the city's Chaoyang business district and close to Beijing's diplomatic area. Its impressive blend of grand culture and dynamic modern-day architect makes it one of the landmarks in the Chinese capital. All the Hotel rooms are equipped with first-class facilities.
Addr: 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016, PRC Tel:86-10-64653388
10) Beijing Nikko New Century Hotel
The Hotel Nikko New Century Beijing is located in Western Beijing, close to China's "Silicon Valley" and ideal for visiting the Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, the Great Wall, and other city sights. The hotel has four Chinese restaurants, a Japanese restaurant, coffee shop, bar, lobby lounge, and excellent health and recreation facilities. Addr: No. 6 Southern Road Capital Gym Beijing Tel: 0086-10-68492001
4 Star Hotels
1) Beijing Tiantan Hotel ( hotel of temple of heaven )
Tiantan hotel is situated just east of the well known Temple of Heaven. Hundreds of years ago emperors went to Tiantan(Temple of Heaven) twice a year to pray for good harvest. Now increasing numbers of foreign and domestic visitors check in at our hotel for a good view of tourist sites and a pleasant stay. Our perfect facilities and oriental hospitality will give you an unique taste of both China's traditional culture and its modern civilization.
Addr:No.1 Tiyuguan Road Chongwen District Beijing Tel:86-10-67190666
2) Red Wall Hotel Beijing
The hotel enjoys its geographic location where the famous scenic spots are, including ForbiddenCity Museum,Jingshan Park. And it is also just 10 minutes away to the Beijing Golden Shopping Avenue-Wangfujing. Addr:No.31 Sha Tan North Street , Dongcheng District, Beijing Tel:(86-10) 010-51098666
3) Holiday Inn Chang An West
The Holiday Inn Chang An West, Beijing offers luxurious 4-star guestrooms and fully equipped facilities. It is located at the cross-junction of West Chang An Avenue and Yong Ding Road in the Haidian District, allowing for convenient acces to the major tourist attractions like the Summer Palace, Fragrant Hill and Sleeping Buddha Temple. Addr: 66 Yong Ding Road, Beijing 100039, China Tel: 0086-10-68132299
4) Tianghong Hotel Beijing
Tianhong Plaza Hotel, Beijing is located in the heart of Zhongguancun, China's Silicon Valley. Within easy access to the 3rd and 4th Ring Roads, surrounded by Beijing's university and research institutes. The multi-function hall offers Internet access, suitable for all kinds of conference, banquet and festival facilities.
Addr: 25 Zhi Chun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100083 Tel: 0086-10-82356699
3 Star Hotels
1) Lishi Hotel Beijing
Beijing Lishi Hotel, Centrally located in Beijing well known shopping and sightseeing district of Dongsi downtown area. Lishi Hotel is within walking distance to the Wangfujing shopping street and China Art Gallery. The location in "hutong" gives more taste of old Beijing.Beijing Li Shi Hotel is located in Lishi lane, Dongsi Downtown area.Addr:No.18 Beijing Lishi Lane, Dong Si Nan Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing Tel:86-10-65220033
2) Yuexiu Hotel Beijing
As one of the few hotels located in the center of Beijing, the Yue Xiu Hotel is a Modern equipped three star hotel enjoying extremely high popularity among the guests at home and abroad.With the sophisticated construction, the hotel is across from the southern catholic cathedral (First built in 1703), and next to the Xuanwumen subway station linking you with destinations all over Beijing. A few minutes walk will bring you to Qianmen, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, Tian'anmen Square, the Great Hall of the people, the Forbidden City and other famous scenic spots and historical sites.
Addr:24 Xuanwumen Dong Da Jie, Beijing Tel:(86)10-63014499 Fax:(86)10-63014609
3) Beijing Peixin Hotel
Situated in the second ring Road
Adjacent to The Temple of Heaven
10 minutes' drive to the Railway Station
40 minutes' drive to the International Airport
Accommodation :
Total rooms: 93 Addr:Add: A5 Peixin Street, Chongwen District Tel:(86-10) 67125588 Fax:86-10) 67185979
4)Shatan Hotel Beijing
Beijing Shatan Hotel is an international hotel that is invested and managed by Yumen Petroleum Administration Bureau China National Petroleum Group Corporation. It is next to the Forbidden City, to the west is Jinshan Park and Beihai Park. To the east is "Wu Si" Avenue and the site of the previous East Royal Root Park.
Addr:No.100 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing Tel:86-10-84026688
5)Beijing Harmony Hotel
A 3 star international standard hotel with first class management. With 122 comfortable guestrooms, a Chinese restaurant, coffee shop, 5 VIP rooms, business centre and conference rooms. Located in the heart of Beijing, Harmony Hotel is within the city's busiest commercial area. Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and Wangfujing Avenue are all just steps away. It takes only 3 minutes to walk to the Beijing Railway Station. and 30 minutes to the Beijing International Airport by taxi. It is the most ideal place for both business and leisure travelers.
Addr: Youtong Stree (No. 59 Suzhou Hutong) Dongcheng District Beijing 100005, China Tel: 0086-10-65285566
6)Beijing Hardemen Hotel
Beijing Hademen Hotel is a three-star pointing hotel for foreign tourism, a second-level state enterprise. The hotel has 229 guest rooms of various types, 21 office rooms and meeting rooms and multifunctional halls of various sizes. The hotel is constructed with centralized air conditioner ,fire control,communication system , business center, shopping center ,beauty salon,massage,hairdressing ,laundry,foreign exchange ,taxi ,rent bike, train and plane ticket booking, parking places , singingand dancing hall, ect.
7) Bamboo Garden Hotel Beijing:
The Zhuyuan (Bamboo Garden) Guesthouse is a classical Chinese-garden-style structure in a quiet lane west of the Drum tower in Beijing. The guesthouse was formerly the residence of Sheng Xuanhuai, the Minister of Post of the late Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). It is also said to be the garden of Li Lianying, a noted eunuch of the Qing Dynasty. Since the late Qing Dynasty, many celebrated Chinese people, including Ma Hansan, Dong Biwu,and Kang Sheng, had lived in this guesthouse. The halls and pavilions in the building are linked by tortuous, long corridors, with a tranquil and elegant surrounding of bamboo groves, rockeries, and fountains.
2 Star Hotels
1)Beijing Far East Hotel
Beijing Far East Hotel was one of the only big traditional name hotels in Beijing, constructed in 1940. The Far East Hotel was pointed two stars hotel in 1992. Unlike the high-rises, Far East International Hotel is a typical Chinese Hotel providing a chance of harmony and coziness.Beijing Far East Hotel located in the center of the city. Outside the hotel lies a very common Beijing Hutong (lane) lined with all kinds of small privately own stores like groceries, CD stores, Tailor workshop,etc. 5 minutes walk along the lane to the north is the famous culture street - Liulichang street.
Addr:No.90 Tie Shu Jie Xuan Wu District, Beijing 100050, China Tel:86-10-63018811
2)Beijing Jing An Hotel
BEIJING JING AN HOTEL is situated in Chaoyang District, near Sanyuan Crossroads in the east, and Erhuan road in the west, while closing up the airport highway in the south, and oppositing against the China International Exhibition Centre in the north, Its transportation is very convenient.
Addr:Xiangheyuan Zhong Li, Zuojiazhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing Tel:86-10-64677177
Courtyard Hotels
1) Lu Song Yuan Hotel
Beijing Lusongyuan Hotel lies at the center of the ancient city, an old styled "Hutong" (Mongolian for water well) in the eastern part of the city. It is a traditional compound of quadrangle composing of 5 yards. It is surrounded by historical buildings built since Kublai Khan's Yuan Dynasty, and much of the buildings built from Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are still preserved until today. Hutongs and quadrangles are typical Beijing architectural structures. Hutongs are ancient styled lanes unique in Beijing. Quadrangles are the main structures inside hutongs. You can thoroughly enjoy it in this hotel.Beijing Lu song yuan Hotel locates in Ping'an Avenue, is about 5 km to the Wangfujing shopping area, 6 km to Beijing Railway Station, 7 km from Tianan'men Square and Forbidden City, 11 km from West Railway Station and 25 km from Beijing Capital Airport.Addr:NO.22, Banchang Lane, Kuanjie Beijing, China Tel:86-10-64040436
2) The Beijing Hao Yuan Hotel
The Beijing Hao Yuan Hotel was built during the Qing Dynasty.It is reported that Hao Yuan Guest House used to be the residence of the potentare of the Qing Dynasty,eunuch Li Lianying,and it also served as the residence of the great patriot Zhang Zizhong. After the founding of the People"s Republic in 1949,it was appropriated to the All-China Women"s Federation,and later converted into offices for shuai Mengqi,Deng Yingchao and Kang Keqing respectively. Beijing Haoyuan Hotel is located near Dongdan Street and Wangfujing Street, about 10-minutes from the Forbidden City and the famous Wangfujing shopping district.
Addr:No. 53 Shijia Hutong, Dongsinan Dajie, Dongcheng District,Beijing Tel:86-10-65125557
Budget Youth Hostels
1)The Beijing Feiying International Youth Hostel
The Beijing Feiying International Youth Hostel is conveniently located in the heart of Beijing's central business district. within easy walking distance to Tian'anmen Square, Xidan shopping area, Liulichang Culture Street and the famous Forbidden City. Location : within walking distance to Tian'anmen Square, Xidan shopping area ,close to Liulichang Cultural Street ,33 kilometers to the Beijing International Airport ,4 kilometers to the Beijing Railway Station,Near Changchun Street Station :Addr:Behind of No. 10 Building Xuanwumen West Street Tel:86-10-63171116
2)Beijing Far East International Youth Hostel
Beijing Far East International Youth Hostel located in the center of the city. It is inside the old Beijing SIHE Yard opposite to Far East Hotel. The posts and the beams are carved for decoration and embellishment. It has own special features. It is only 2 km to the Tian An Men Square. The culture street - Liu Li Factory & Da Shi Lan shopping center & the scenery Hu Guang Hall just nearby. Location: Conveniently located in the heart of Beijing,2 km from Tian Anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tel86-10-63018811
Beijing dining and entertainment:
It is recorded that there are over30000 registered restaurants of various sizes and flavors in Beijing.Beijingers, just like other Chinese peopleare big eaters.Very often,local eating pales bars in the later evening, a very important part of nighlife for many local people.In most of the tourist hotels, visitors can find the free copies of "that's Beijing", the city's leading English magazine.Just have a quick look at the magazine, you will learn a lot about Beijing cuisine.
Beijing cuisine ismaterialisedby dumplings,noodles and roast duck.It's a different experience if you entera local‘old Beijing’ style restaurant. This kind of restaurant makes you feel as if you were inold time Beijing, Qing Dansty maybe.All the servers in traditional costumes and shout"Welcome!" in old Chinese accentwhen you enter the gateof their restaurant. Beijing’s most famous dish, Peking Duck, is a must. Try King Roast Duck, opposite the Friendship Store.
Nowadays more and more local people like to havethe spicy food. So Beijing finds lots of Sichuan food, Hunan food and Hubei food. All these cuisines are hot food. Most favorist spicy food may be water-boiled fish, a fish (or beef or pork) sliced up into an enormous boiling pot of oil packed full of chilli!The most famous restaurant which offers water-boiled fish is " Fei Teng Yu Xian" (means boiling oil with jumpingfish!).In the evening, local people like to go to Ghost Street (Gui Jie), a several-block strip of restaurants specialising in spicy crab and another Beijing flavor.
There are also many Asian cuisinesin Beijing, likeIndian food at The Taj Pavilion (West Wing, China World Trade Centre); Indonesian and Burmese specialties at Java and Yangon (Sanlitun Xiwujie);South Korean barbecue at Sorabol (Landmark Towers, at the Great Wall Sheraton), Nam Nam (7 Sanlitun Lu, tel: 6468-6053) draws crowds as much for the pleasing surroundings as for its Vietnamese food.Of course, Beijing boasts lots of international food coming from the rest of the world
Beijing nightlife,Karaoke,bars and clubs:
Beijingersusually consider karaoke (KTV) asmost idealway to spend an evening with friends. People often go to Melody, Cash Box and Tango,the most popular joints that don't provide the services of the ‘three accompaniments’ girls ).
Sanlitun Bar Street is where the locals go to relax.When you go there,just buya bottle of Chivas Regal and a bottle of cold green tea, and bring your Yahtzee dice. Ever so often, as one of the cover tunes, song-and-dance routines, magic shows, or acrobatics on stage ends, clap fast and loud while screaming "Good!".
Beijing Art Galleries
The Dashanzi Art District (or called798) is a collection of former factory buildings now the must-live and work destination for artists and hipster companies. Galleries abound, and a walk through the neighbourhood willfind highlights and lowlights of modern and not-so modern Chinese (and foreign) art of all shapes and sizes.
Beijing shopping Information
Today, Beijing hasseveral famous shopping streets including the Wangfujing, Longfusi, Xidanbei, Qianmen and Xiusuhi streets, and Liulichang Cultural Street. These streets boast modern malls and boutiques or special articles shops and provide various kinds of services.
The goods tourists to Beijing prefer to buy are unique handicrafts and cultural relics full of Beijing flavor, such as cloisonné, jade ware, bronzes and stone tablets with inscriptions, writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and ink slabs, antiques, paintings, calligraphic works and handicrafts including dough figurines, facial masks and kites unique to Beijing.
Shopping Streets in Beijing
Wangfujing Street:
This is Beijing's busiest commercial area and is normally full of shoppers. Besides many shops and restaurants there is an very large many storied mall. Prices are reasonable in this area as many stores are government owned. The street has recently been completely renovated. The area is a good area to shop in as the visitor will not be cheated or overcharged. No bargaining here, but lots of fun. The weekend is the most crowded time.
