Some quick questions about Hotels, transportation etc.

Question

Dear Brain Trust,

I will be travelling solo to Beijing in about a month time for 2 days and could use some guidance about where to stay, how to use metro stations and couple of other questions.

First time in Beijing (have been to Shanghai), solo traveler, 2 days - will visit Tiananmen square, Forbidden Palace, Great wall (most likely at Badaling - will use hi speed train), Temple of Heaven and may be the zoo. Don't need big or luxurious room, super 8 kind of will be OK. Close to Wangfujing should be cool but the area seems to be quite expensive. Alternatively, I can stay a bit away and travel by Metro. Don't plan to travel far from main tourist sites.

1. Can someone please advise any hotels or specific locations near metro stations for ease of travel?

2. Is it relatively easy to travel by metro to all of the above tourist attractions (other than great wall)? Does it become crazy busy during rush hours?

3. Does InDrive operate in Beijing? if not what other apps are best - Uber or grab or..?

Thank you in advance for any help

Answer

Traveling solo in Beijing for 2 days is very doable, especially if you plan carefully around accommodation and transport. Here’s a detailed guide for your queries.

1. Hotels and Locations:

For a short visit, it’s ideal to stay near a metro station on a central line for easy access to tourist sites. Wangfujing is convenient but can be more expensive. Consider areas slightly away from Wangfujing but still central:

Dongdan/Dongsi area: Near Line 1 and Line 5 metro. Many budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses. Walking distance to Wangfujing and Forbidden City.
Beixinqiao/Jingshan area: Closer to the north gate of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. Good for quiet stay with metro access (Line 5).
Xidan area: Line 1 metro, central shopping and dining. Slightly less touristy than Wangfujing, often cheaper.
Budget chains: Super 8, Hanting, 7 Days Inn, or Jinjiang Inn. Most have locations near metro stations in central Beijing.

2. Metro travel to tourist attractions:

Beijing’s metro network is extensive and covers most main attractions:

Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City: Tiananmen East or West stations on Line 1. Walkable from metro exits.
Temple of Heaven: Tiantan East or South Gate station on Line 5.
Beijing Zoo: Line 4, Beijing Zoo station.
Badaling Great Wall: Take high-speed train from Beijing North Railway Station (Line 2 interchange at Xizhimen or Line 13 to Beijing North). Metro is convenient to reach the station.

Metro is generally easy to navigate. Rush hours (7:30–9:00 and 17:00–19:00) can be very busy, especially near transfer stations, but short tourist trips usually avoid the worst crowds if you travel mid-morning or early afternoon.

3. Ride-hailing apps:

InDrive does not operate in Beijing. Other popular ride apps are:

Didi Chuxing: Most widely used in Beijing, works for local taxis, private cars, and shared rides. English version available.
Uber: Limited in Beijing; Didi is generally better.
Grab: Does not operate in China.

For short distances in the city, taxis are plentiful but using Didi is convenient, especially if you don’t speak Mandarin.

Additional tips:

Purchase a Beijing transportation card (Yikatong) at the airport or metro stations. It works on metro and buses.
Carry a map or use apps like Baidu Maps or Google Maps (sometimes needs VPN in China).
Wear comfortable shoes; walking is unavoidable in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Temple of Heaven.

Overall, staying near a central metro station and using the metro plus Didi for occasional taxis will make your 2-day solo visit smooth and efficient.

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