Xicheng (Houhai)

A look around

What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.

1/4

Where it sits

The circle is Xicheng and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.

How far is everything?

From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.

• Jingshan Park15 min walk1.3 km
• The Forbidden City8 min taxi2.7 km
• The Lama Temple9 min taxi3.1 km
• Tiananmen Square11 min taxi3.8 km
• Peking duck14 min taxi4.5 km
• The Temple of Heaven20 min taxi6.5 km
• The 798 Art District33 min taxi11.0 km
• The Great Wall172 min taxi57.2 km

On your doorstep

What you’re living next to if you stay here.

• 4.The Summer Palace — The emperors' vast landscaped retreat in the northwest — a great lake, a temple-topped hill, a marble boat and the world's longest painted corridor, all designed as an idealised imperial garden. A gorgeous, spacious half-day of pavilions and water; take a boat on Kunming Lake, and go when the lotus blooms in summer.
• 6.The Houhai lakes & hutongs — The prettiest corner of old Beijing — a chain of willow-fringed lakes ringed by grey-brick hutong alleys, courtyard homes, little bars and cafés, and the drum-and-bell towers nearby. Wander or cycle the lanes by day, boat or skate on the lake, and settle at a waterside bar at dusk; the romantic heart of the old city.
• 11.Beihai Park — A gorgeous former imperial garden beside the Forbidden City — a broad lake dominated by an island crowned with a great white dahgoba stupa, with pavilions, bridges and rowing boats. Serene and beautiful, a green escape in the very centre; row out on the lake, and it's magical at sunset with the stupa glowing.
• 13.A hutong rickshaw tour — The grey-brick hutong alleys are disappearing fast, and the old lanes around the Drum and Bell Towers and the lakes are the best-preserved — explore them by pedal rickshaw or on foot, peeking into courtyard homes and stopping for street snacks. The most intimate glimpse of everyday old Beijing; go by bike or on a guided walk.