Districts · Beijing
Beijing by district
A first visit works as four separate half-day clusters rather than one walkable centre: the Forbidden City and Tiananmen axis, Wangfujing's shopping streets just east, the Nanluoguxiang and Gulou hutongs to the north, and Temple of Heaven Park to the south. Each is reached by subway or taxi from the others; walking between them is a long haul.
About these names
Beijing's formal districts (Dongcheng, Xicheng and others) are large administrative areas, not useful walking units for a visitor; this table uses the same cluster names as the rest of this guide.
- Forbidden City and TiananmenseeSuits: A first full morningThe imperial axis: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park. Heavy security and long, exposed walking distances.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Wangfujing and DongdanseeeatsleepSuits: Central hotels, shopping, an AC eveningFlat, pedestrianised shopping street with malls; a common sleep base.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Nanluoguxiang and Gulou hutongsseeeatsleepSuits: Hutong atmosphere, cafés, an evening walkNarrow lanes, no cars in the narrowest parts; quiet cafés by day, lively by night.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Temple of HeavenseeSuits: An early morning among locals doing tai chiA large park south of the centre; go at opening for the calmest visit.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) (65–95 min by the usual route).
Where’s what, as a list:
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen: The imperial axis: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park. Heavy security and long, exposed walking distances. Suits: A first full morning.
- Wangfujing and Dongdan: Flat, pedestrianised shopping street with malls; a common sleep base. Suits: Central hotels, shopping, an AC evening. Price band $$$.
- Nanluoguxiang and Gulou hutongs: Narrow lanes, no cars in the narrowest parts; quiet cafés by day, lively by night. Suits: Hutong atmosphere, cafés, an evening walk. Price band $$.
- Temple of Heaven: A large park south of the centre; go at opening for the calmest visit. Suits: An early morning among locals doing tai chi.
- Sleep area Gulou hutongs: suits Hutong atmosphere, cafés, an evening walk, price band $$.
- Sleep area Wangfujing: suits Central hotels, shopping, an AC evening, price band $$$.
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), about 23 km14 mi from the centre, 45–70 min by the usual route.
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), 65–95 min by the usual route.