Hostels in Beijing

🏯 Hostels in Beijing for Backpackers & Solo Travellers: Imperial Palaces, Hutong Lanes & the Great Wall

Heading to Beijing in 2026? China's capital mixes imperial palaces, quiet hutong alleys and huge modern boulevards. It is usually a big, fast-moving city, but hostels in the old lanes make it feel friendly, and the Great Wall is within reach for a day trip.

🏠 Where to Stay in Beijing

Hostels in Beijing are mostly in the hutong neighbourhoods of Dongcheng, around Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen and the lakes. Hostelworld.com lists over 31 Hostels in Beijing, all rated by travellers like you, with more than 4898 reviews. In Beijing hostels you can usually find:

• Dorms and private rooms in traditional courtyard houses
• Rooftop or courtyard bars
• Help booking Great Wall trips and train tickets
• Shared kitchens and travel desks with English-speaking staff

💡 Pro tip: Set up mobile payments and offline maps before you arrive. Cash and foreign cards may be less widely accepted, and some apps may be blocked.

🏆 Top Hostels to Stay in Beijing in 2026

Looking for top-rated Hostels in Beijing? According to Hostelworld.com travellers, these are two crowd favourites:

• Yuyan Youth Hostel – ★ 8.7/10 – Yuyan Youth Hostel
• Beijing Xingshe Youth Hostel – ★ 9.18/10 – Beijing Xingshe Youth Hostel

🗺️ Neighbourhoods to Explore

• Dongcheng hutongs – Grey-brick alleys, courtyard homes and small cafés near the old city centre
• Shichahai & Houhai – Lakes lined with bars, willow trees and evening walks
• Qianmen – A historic shopping street south of Tiananmen Square
• Sanlitun – Modern malls, international food and the city's main nightlife area
• 798 Art District – Old factories turned into galleries, studios and cafés

🚇 Getting Around Beijing

• From the airport: Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing airports usually link to the city by airport express train, plus taxis and buses
• Metro: The metro is usually fast, cheap and well signed in English, with security checks at entrances
• Ride-hailing & taxis: Apps and metered taxis are common, but a written address in Chinese helps
• Bikes: Shared bikes are a fun way to explore the hutongs

🧱 Visiting the Great Wall

Many travellers make a day trip to the Great Wall, often to restored sections such as Mutianyu, or wilder stretches like Jinshanling for hiking. In the city, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are usually the highlights, and early starts help you beat the crowds.

💡 Pro tip: Major sights such as the Forbidden City often need advance booking with your passport, so reserve a few days ahead and bring your passport on the day.

🌍 Want More Hostel Adventures?

Check out other top-rated hostels across China → China Hostels