Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beijing City Overview
Top Sights
Hutong
Sights
Historic
Dongcheng District
( Dongcheng Qu) is the largest of Beijing's cent-
ral districts and by far the most interesting for visitors. For convenience, we've
split it into North, Central and South neighbourhoods. Dongcheng Central has
the lion's share of iconic sights, including the immense Forbidden City. A fas-
cinating network of imperial
hutong
(alleyways) fans out north and east from
here. Dongcheng North is also a fabulously historic,
hutong
-rich neighbour-
hood, and arguably the most pleasant area in which to base yourself while in
Beijing. Dongcheng South is dominated by the wonderful Temple of Heaven
Park.
Chaoyang District
( Chaoyang Qu) sprawls east from Dongcheng and is
home to the majority of Beijing's foreign embassies, as well as most of its ex-
pat population. The area lacks history and character, but it does contain some
of the capital's best modern restaurants, bars and shops, many of which
centre on the area known as Sanlitun.
West of Dongcheng,
Xicheng District
( Xicheng Qu) has strong historical
links. We've split it into north and south neighbourhoods. The north includes
the city's lovely central lakes - at Houhai and within the centuries-old Beihai
Park. The south includes the backpacker-central neighbourhood of Dashilar.
