Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HOSTELS
NORTH OF THE CENTRE
Downtown Backpackers
东堂青年旅舍
, dōngtáng qīngnián lǚshè 85 Nanluogu Xiang
010 84002429,
backpackingchina.com
; Nanluoguxiang subway (line 6);
map
.
Long-time
backpacker favourite, with an enviable location among the artsy boutiques of Beijing's trend-
iest
hutong
; you won't be short of eating and nightlife options. Graffiti all over the walls extol
the virtues of the staff, though perhaps they've let it go to their heads. There are a few single
and double rooms - priced according to whether they have wi
ndo
ws and
bathro
oms - which
get booked up rapidly. Small breakfast included. Dorms from
￥
75
, rooms
￥
170
Peking Youth Hostel
北平国际青年旅舍
, bĕipíng guójì qīngnián lǚshè 113-2 Nanluogu
Xiang 010 84039098,
peking.hostel.com
;
Nanluoguxiang subway (line 6);
map
.
Superb
new hostel with immaculate rooms and a winning location on Nanluogu Xiang; there's some
great people-watching to be done from the rooftop café, the downstairs component of which
is extremely
pop
ular wi
th pa
ssers-by. They've a far quieter annexe a 15min walk away.
Dorms from
￥
75
, rooms
￥
230
RedLanternHouse
红灯笼宾馆
, hóngdēnglóng bīnguǎn 5 Zhengjue Hutong, off Xinjiekou
Nandajie 010 83285771,
redlanternhouse.com
; Xinjiekou subway (line 4);
map
.
The
main feature at this hostel, tucked into an appealingly earthy
hutong
, is an extraordinary
courtyard overloaded with ornaments, including water features and a forest of red lanterns; it
doubles as a café and bar of sorts. Hidden among the jungle of kitsch are a cat, a dog and a re-
ceptionist. The rooms themselves are comfy, and good value.
The
y recen
tly op
ened a highly
appealing second venue; see website for details. Dorms from
￥
85
, rooms
￥
220
Sitting on the Walls Courtyard House
城墙客栈
, chéngqiáng kèzhàn 57 Nianzi Hutong
010 64027805,
beijingcitywalls.com
; Nanluoguxiang subway (line 6);
map
.
Tucked away
in a quiet
hutong
, this is another converted courtyard house that offers an intimate atmo-
sphere, a bit of character, friendly staff, pets, and dodgy plumbing. It's very central, just be-
hind the Forbidden City, though a little tough to find first time; most taxi drivers
won'
t know
where
it is. Wend your way through the alleyways, following the signs. Dorms
￥
100
, rooms
￥
480
Sleepy Inn Downtown Lakeside
丽舍什刹海国际青年旅店
, lìshě shíchàhǎi qīngnián
homely place has a great location, beside a canal just off Xihai Lake, and is probably the least
backpackery of Beijing's hostels. A good terrace and ple
asant
staff ma
ke up
for slightly over-
priced rooms; the dorms are good value, though. Dorms
￥
100
, rooms
￥
380
EAST OF THE CENTRE
FlyByKnightCourtyardHostel
夜奔北京四合院客栈
, yèbēn bĕijīng sìhéyuàn kèzhàn
6 Dengcao Hutong 010 65597966,
facebook.com/hostelflybyknight
;
Dongsi subway
