Recommended place to stay:
A secret sanctuary in the hutongs, The Orchid is one of the best options to get a feel for traditional Beijing life.
The owners have restored and built upon a Qing Dynasty-era courtyard home, adding gardens, restaurants and a terrace bar with majestic views of the Drum and Bell Towers, looming above the eaves of courtyard rooftops.
Petite guestrooms come with Chinese tea sets and mobile phones, and there are larger ‘dispersed’ suites dotted about in nearby alleyways.
Enclosed by a grid of strollable lanes, and close to Houhai Lake and the Lama Temple, the Orchid makes a wonderful base for sightseeing on foot.
Beijing’s narrow hutong lanes don’t suit taxis, so you’ll have to drag your case from the main road to find The Orchid.
It’s well worth the effort, though, because the location is a delightful respite from the high-rise hustle of Beijing’s more modern districts.
Wander the surrounding alleys and you’ll see locals sitting outside playing xiangqi (Chinese chess) and sipping tea, and no shortage of Chinese tourists at nearby Nanluogu Xiang, a popular snack street.
Look out for stylish venues dotted throughout the neighbourhood, like Cafe Zarah for coffee and breakfast, and Modernista for cocktails and live jazz.
The Orchid have prepared an excellent walking map of their immediate neighbourhood, ideal for a hutong wander.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
China
China’s vibrant capital captives with its unique melding of ancient wonders, bustling hutongs and modern architecture – the food ain’t bad either. Top of the bill are the Forbidden City, the marvellous palace of China’s greatest Emperors – and the extraordinary Great Wall of China.
