Explore The Orchid’s central location

It’s not really just about tourist sites

To the right is a small section of central Beijing that encompasses much of the city area that would matter to most people trying to get the most out of Beijing, regardless of whether it’s your first or tenth trip to the capital. The area in red represents the main sections that we like to refer to as the ‘old city’ even though it is fairly more complicated than that.

Scroll over any of the numbered points for a better explanation of each location.

And keep in mind.. the best part of this neighbourhood has nothing to do with the main ‘sites’ and so much more to do with the real life of this city. It’s what’s in between all the numbers that counts. But you will see soon enough!

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1

The Orchid – Gulou

2

Qianhai Lake (One of the Shichahai lake area elements)

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Jingshan Park

Located at the north exit of the forbidden city. Best city view around..

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Line 4 subway

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Wangfujing Area Government mandated tourist trap

Thankfully, you aren’t staying here!

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Bell Tower

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Drum Tower

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Nanluoguxiang walking street (but with cars!)

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Line 2 and Line 8 subway

Guloudajie stop

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Xihai Lake (One of the Shichahai lake area elements)

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Line 8 subway

Shichahai stop

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Line 6 and Line 8 subway

Nanluoguxiang stop

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Forbidden City

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Beihai Park (One of the Shichahai lake area elements)

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Zhongnanhai – Official government headquarters

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Zhongshan Park

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Beijing Art Museum

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Beijing Railway Station (Central station)

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Tiananmen Square

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Line 1

Tiananmen East and West subway stops

Also the Forbidden City south entrance

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Prince Gong’s mansion

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Song Qing Ling’s residence

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Line 5 subway

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Confucius Temple

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Yonghegong (Lama Temple)

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Houhai Lake (One of the Shichahai lake area elements)

Still need to find The Orchid?

Turn north into Baochao Hutong

Walk until you see Mr. Shi's dumpling (right)

Turn left into the small alley and ring the bell!

For a small premium we can have one of our drivers waiting for you to make sure your journey to our front door is as painless as possible. Simply select which pickup type you would like from the booking page and then leave us your final details once they are available and we can make the arrangements. Or if you are deciding at a later date, just contact us here to set it up.

Airport pickup (car): 300 RMB

Airport pickup (van): 400 RMB

Train pickup (car): 150 RMB

Train pickup (van): 200 RMB

The Orchid
#65 Baochao Hutong
Guloudong road
Dongcheng District
Beijing
北京市东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同65号
+(86) 10-85659295

For a small premium we can have one of our drivers waiting for you to make sure your journey to our front door is as painless as possible. Simply select which pickup type you would like from the booking page and then leave us your final details once they are available and we can make the arrangements. Or if you are deciding at a later date, just contact us here to set it up.

Airport pickup (car): 300 RMB

Airport pickup (van): 400 RMB

Train pickup (car): 150 RMB

Train pickup (van): 200 RMB

Discover The Orchid with Ease

Contrary to what many have heard, Beijing isn’t all about big wide streets. The Orchid is built among the ancient narrow ‘Hutong’ walkways that cover a good part of the innermost center of the city. This means you don’t need to make a special trip to discover the hutongs like most tourists,  however it is all the more reason we must equip you with many of these maps and directions so you can find it the first time around!

  • QUICK WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM THE MAIN ROAD:

    (On the map to the left in BLUE)

    If you are walking up to the hotel from Gulou Dong DaJie (Gulou East Street) simply walk 246 meters up along the main Baochao Hutong alley, past the large military airforce base on your right just until you hit Mr. Shi’s dumplings. The Orchid is only 5 meters beyond Mr. Shi’s dumplings. Look to your left for a very thin alleyway with The Orchid’s large white entranceway at the end.

  • WALKING FROM THE SUBWAY:

    (On the map to the left in RED)

    From the Gulou (drum tower) station on the circle line 2 (shown usually in blue), take the Exit B which is located on the North-east corner of the intersection. From there, cross the highway under the underpass and keep walking in the same direction (south) 400 meters until you arrive at Doufuchi Hutong (6 minutes). Turn into the alleyway and continue past the small square to the next Hutong intersection called Baochao Hutong (7 minutes). Make a right and walk south another 50 meters and you will arrive at the alleyway entrance to The Orchid.

    Line 8 entrance is marked as well, and despite both being connected underground, most of guests arrive by subway from the Airport Express line through to Line 2. It is much simpler and faster to use the older Line 2 exit B, despite how the map looks.

  • FROM THE AIRPORT BY SUBWAY:

    If you are traveling solo, the train is a slightly cheaper option. Hop on the airport express train and head two stops to the end of the line (Dongzhimen). From there you can transfer to the circle line 2 (blue) and board in the direction of Xizhimen station. Stay on for only 3 stops, roughly 10 minutes, and then exit at the Gulou stop (drum tower) Exit B. Follow the directions in the Walking from the Subway  tab and you are 10-15 minutes away from The Orchid.  This is quite a fast way to do it, and while it might seem a little more luxurious to head into town via airport express train followed by a short cab ride, we really don’t recommend it. The Airport express exit at Dongzhimen is rife with cab scams and we don’t want to you to begin you experience on the wrong foot!

  • COMING BY TAXI FROM ANYWHERE:

    Taking a taxi from the airport or train station is easy nowadays. From the airport it is a quick direct ride that takes roughly 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. The cost should be between 100-130RMB. From the West or South train stations, expect to pay 40-60RMB and spend 30-40 minutes in the car. The main train station is a 30RMB and 20 minute journey away. Some drivers on the rare occasion might rudely drop you off on the main road, forcing you to walk 5 minutes up the road. Just in case, please have a look at the walking directions details to familiarize yourself (in BLUE).