DK Travel : Beijing

At the heart of Beijing is tradition, given physical form in the mighty Forbidden City, from where successive imperial dynasties have ruled since the 15th century. Neighboring Tian’an Men Square is the China of recent history, of red-flag socialism and Mao. But this is also a city on the move, as an all-pervading spirit of change makes Beijing the most 21st-century of capitals.

Red Capital Residence

Beijing’s most uniquely louche hotel, in which those with a suitably fat wallet can live out fantasies of Old Peking, also happens to be a converted courtyard residence (see Red Capital Residence).
Red Capital Residence

Beijing’s quirkiest hotel has just five rooms, each furnished with period antiques and decorated according to a different theme. You can choose from the “Chairman’s Suite” or one of the “Concubines’ Private Courtyards”.
Red Gate Gallery

Art in a 15th-century city watchtower (see Southeast Corner Watchtower). www.redgategallery.com
Red House Hotel

Dorms, hotel rooms, and apartments with kitchens for short- or long-term rent. Rooms feature dark wooden floors and faux-antique furnishings. There’s a popular football bar on the premises, and it’s a short walk to more bars in Sanlitun.
Red Moon

Where Beijing’s smart set mingles with Executive Class visitors. This is the sleek house bar of one of the city’s most high-powered hotels. Dress to impress for cocktails, sushi bar, and cigar lounge. Quality, of course, comes at a price.
Renaissance Hotel

Four-star business hotel close by the International Exhibition Center, also providing access to myriad dining and shopping options on Xiaoyun Lu and the adjacent Nuren Jie. Rooms are large in size, luxurious but subtle.
Repertoire

The traditional repertoire includes more than 1,000 works, mostly based on popular tales. Modern productions aimed at tourists often include English-language displays of the text.
Ri Tan Office Building

A former office building on the south side of Ri Tan Park, now a warren of small, independent boutiques.
Ri Tan Park

One of Beijing’s oldest parks, with an altar for imperial sacrifice (see Ri Tan Park).
Ri Tan Park

One of the city’s oldest parks, Ri Tan was laid out around a sacrificial altar back in the 16th century. The round altar remains, ringed by a circular wall, but this is very much a living park, filled daily with people walking and exercising. Being at the heart of the embassy district, the park is well tended and surrounded by lots of good restaurants and cafés.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under ¥200
- ¥200–¥400
- ¥400–¥800
- ¥800–¥1400
- over ¥1400