There aren't too many hostels in China, and you can be sure that this one is going to be fully booked by August. Still, worth a shot. Nestling among the hutongs - the traditional Chinese streets that are now all but gone - the Far East Hostel has some English-speaking staff, a range of facilities and is dirt cheap. What's more, it's within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - and if you venture up Nanxinhua St you'll find a fantastic Peking Duck restaurant that's far less pricey than the overrated Hepingmen.

90 TieShuXieJie, XuanWuDistrict
Walkable from Hepingmen Metro Station (Hepingmen Ditie Zhan).

+86 10 51958811
info@fareastyh.com

www.fareastyh.com/eindex.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Reconstructed, re-opened, and smoothly re-surfaced, Dongcheng District's Nanluoguxiang is one such hutong.

The flood of tasty restaurants, cosy bars, and unique shops that run up and down the hidden street will no doubt remove the lane from the list of Beijing's best- kept secrets. Still, despite the renovations and ongoing grand openings, this area has retained its original essence of an inner-sanctuary. The fact that public toilets outnumber the private ones also add a certain cultural authenticity.

If in the area, this hutong is definitely worth wandering around aimlessly, day or night, ohhing and ahhing along the way.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Consider going to a restaurant where the locals dine for your Peking Duck. Ok, you may not get the fancy furniture and uniforms that you will get in the touristy restaurants, but what you will get is a restaurant full of character and, of course, local people.

Think about it, if you have been to any of the advertised Peking Duck restaurants for tourists, have you seen many locals ? Of course the answer is probably no. The reason is probably due to the costs involved.

Myself and a few friends went to a restaurant close to a Hutong and had Peking Duck for three people. It cost less than £7.50 for the whole meal including beer and cola, not bad for three people. The portions were very large and we couldn't finish what was served.

Do consider trying a local restaurant, you will be amazed at the reception you will get and the locals will enjoy you as much as you will enjoy the experience of dining with them.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Cheap and cheerful dormitory accommodation for 70rmb, with cosy football bar and reliable internet access.

Tel: 6416 7810. www.redhouse.com.cn/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is the place for mutton hot pot, a traditional northern dish. Expect to pay about 40rmb per head.

No 130 Wangfujing Dajie Street, Dongcheng District; Tel: 86 10 6528 0932; www.donglaishun.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Very close to Chongwenmen tube stop, easy walk to Tianenmen square and Forbidden City, clean and comfortable and about £30 a double ensuite in high season. Nice staff, speak English.

Close to Chongwenmen tube stop, www.asiarooms.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Hotel in central Beijing, opposite tube station, couple of stops from Tiannenmen Square, 500m metres from main Railway station, clean and cheap at £31 per night per double room.

No. A2, Chong Wen Men Wai Street, Beijing, China;
tel: 86-10-67112244;
www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Hademen_Hotel_Beijing.htm;
www.asiarooms.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The history of this district stretches back 700 years to the Yuan Dynasty. For 120 rmb per night, you get to stay in an old courtyard house in a lively neighbourhood full of boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Nanluogu Xiang hutong, Xicheng area; Tel: 8400-2429

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends