First night in Bejing. Where to go for dinner?

Question

We fly into B 3pm. Arrive at hotel 5pm.

We want to get a taxi to a nice place to walk around and have dinner somewhere. Can you recommend a good idea?

Re taxis.... We have 4 adults and 1 child. Should I download a taxi app now? Do they have mini vans as taxis?

If I download an app do I have to link a credit card? In Thailand we dont have to.

thanks

Answer

For your first evening in Beijing, arriving around 5 PM, a great option is to combine a scenic area with dinner to ease into the city. Since you have 4 adults and 1 child, convenience and accessibility are important.

1. Dinner and walking areas:

Wangfujing Street: Famous shopping street with plenty of restaurants and street food. You can walk around after dinner and experience the local atmosphere. Good for casual dining and trying small snacks.
Nanluoguxiang: A historic hutong area with boutique shops, bars, and restaurants. Offers a more traditional Beijing vibe and narrow alleys for a stroll.
Qianmen Street: Near Tiananmen Square, this pedestrian street has restored traditional architecture and many restaurants serving Peking duck and other Beijing specialties. Walking-friendly and scenic in the evening.

2. Taxi and transport:

For a group of 5, standard taxis may be tight. Beijing does not widely offer 7-seater minivans as regular taxis.
You can book a ride through a taxi app or a ride-hailing app like DiDi, which is the Chinese equivalent of Uber. DiDi allows you to request larger vehicles like “DiDi Premier” or “DiDi Express Plus,” which can fit 5 people comfortably.
With DiDi, you can pay by cash, Alipay, or credit card. Linking a credit card is optional if you choose cash or Alipay. Downloading and registering the app before your trip is recommended.
Alternative: You could ask your hotel concierge to help book a private car for the evening, which may be easier for a group and safer for a first night in Beijing.

3. Practical tips:

Peak traffic in Beijing is heavy around 5–7 PM, so allow extra time to reach your dinner destination.
Have the hotel address written in Chinese to show the taxi driver if needed.
For dinner, consider trying local specialties like Peking duck, hot pot, or traditional northern Chinese cuisine in these areas.

Overall, Wangfujing or Qianmen Street is ideal for a first evening: convenient for taxis, lively for walking, and full of restaurant options. Using DiDi or arranging a hotel private car makes traveling with your group much easier than standard taxis.

First night in Bejing. Where to go for dinner?

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