Your stay — Friendship Hostel1
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The Property — Friendship Hostel1
Friendship Hostel1 is a functional 3-star hostel in central Beijing, aimed squarely at budget-conscious backpackers and short-stay visitors who want a clean bed and basic amenities near the city's main sights. The lobby is modest and practical, with a small reception desk, a few chairs, and a notice board advertising local tours and transport tips. Its USP is location: a short walk to the Dongzhimen metro interchange, giving direct access to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall bus stops. This place suits anyone who sees a room as a base, not a destination.
Chronicles of Beijing
Beijing's recorded history stretches back over 3,000 years, but its rise as China's political heart began when the Ming dynasty shifted the capital here in 1421 and built the Forbidden City. The city's layout still follows the grid planned by the Ming architects, with axes and walls that define the old centre. After centuries of imperial rule, the Communist victory in 1949 made Beijing the capital of the People's Republic, leading to a wave of Soviet-influenced buildings and wide boulevards like Chang'an Avenue. Over the last two decades, breakneck modernisation has added the Bird's Nest stadium and the futuristic CCTV tower, while hutongs—narrow alleyways lined with courtyard homes—survive as pockets of old Beijing. Today, the city is a stark contrast of ancient temples and glass skyscrapers, a global capital that still feels distinctly Chinese.
Best Time to Visit
Full Beijing guide →Best months
September and October: clear skies, mild temperatures around 20–25°C, and lower humidity than summer. April and May also work well for blossoms and comfortable sightseeing.
Peak / festival surge
October is the busiest month, driven by the National Day Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) when domestic tourism surges. Hotel prices can double, and major sites like the Forbidden City cap daily visitor numbers. The Chinese New Year period (late January/February) is another peak, with family travel and higher rates.
Budget shoulder season
May and November offer good compromises. May brings spring warmth but fewer crowds than October; November sees autumn colours and significantly lower prices, with crisp air but occasional cold snaps.
Weather & packing
Beijing in July is hot and humid, with afternoon temperatures often hitting 35°C and sudden thunderstorms common. Pack a lightweight rain jacket, a wide-brimmed hat, and breathable cotton clothing—leave denim jackets at home.
Live City Briefing — Beijing
- Beijing's subway line 3 opened in December 2025, linking Dongzhimen with the eastern suburbs and reducing congestion on line 2. Check station maps for new transfers.
- The Forbidden City introduced a mandatory online booking system in 2024 that requires ID or passport numbers; tickets often sell out 7 days ahead in summer.
- Air quality alerts are rarer in July due to summer rains, but the city enforces odd-even car plate bans on heavy pollution days—taxis and ride-hails are unaffected.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Friendship Hostel1, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high-floor room on the side facing away from the main road. Upper floors (above the 5th) will have less street noise and more natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor—these are closest to street level and the lift lobby, which can be noisy in peak times.
Best views
A high-floor room facing the central courtyard (if present) will give you a calmer outlook. Otherwise, request a rear-facing room away from the main street.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 to 7 (if the building has a standard 7-floor layout for a 3-star hostel) are generally quieter, away from lift traffic and street rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Beijing’s streets are busy with traffic and honking. Rooms facing the front will hear road noise, especially during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Insider tips
1. Check in early afternoon to increase your chance of a high floor. 2. Use hostel lockers for valuables—3-star standards mean basic security, so don’t leave passports lying around.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Friendship Hostel1
Free Wi-Fi for up to 2 devices per room; typical speed 20 Mbps download; requires login via room number and surname
One lift serves all 7 floors (guest rooms on floors 2–7); no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; digital newsstand not available
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed after 07:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged CNY 50 per hour until 18:00
Free for same-day check-in/check-out; overnight storage CNY 20 per bag per night
Step-free entry via ramp at main door; lifts reach all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow corridors may limit turning space
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Dongdan Plaza (300 m away), CNY 80 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; incidental hold of CNY 200 per night at check-in via credit card or cash
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: 北京会堂 (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Mosque: 东直门外清真寺 (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
- Place of worship: 东岳庙 (2.0 km · ~25 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
S3 — 200 m · ~3 min walk
Community Exercise Area — 303 m · ~4 min walk
英杰硬石博物馆 — 865 m · ~11 min walk
蜂巢剧场 — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 142 m · ~2 min walk
Cachet — 932 m · ~12 min walk
Qi Yuan Indian Grocery — 128 m · ~2 min walk
工人体育场 — 585 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Chinese Yuan, CNY
Use the ATM at the airport for a fair rate, but avoid the currency-exchange counters there and at major tourist sites — they give poor rates. Bank branches in the city offer better rates for cash.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most mid-range and up hotels, but many small shops, street vendors, and local restaurants only take cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay. Contactless is less common than mobile QR payments.
Tipping is not expected in Beijing. No tip at restaurants (service is included), no tip for taxis, and no tip for hotel staff. Rounding up the bill is sometimes done but not required.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard latte from a local chain or convenience-store coffee is about 25-30 CNY.
A bowl of noodles or a jianbing (savory crepe) from a street stall or small shop runs 15-25 CNY.
A simple stir-fry or dumpling set in a local eatery costs around 30-50 CNY for a main dish.
Wangfujing Snack Street and the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang are packed with cheap eats — grilled skewers, baozi, and jianbing. Donghuamen Night Market is another obvious but touristy spot.
Budget chains include Hualian, Carrefour, and Wumart (Walmart's local brand). They're common in residential areas.
The Qianmen area and the underground malls near Xidan have affordable high-street brands and markets for cheap clothes, but expect to bargain.
The Beijing subway is the cheapest way: a single ride is 3-5 CNY, and a day pass is not sold — instead, tap a transport card (Yikatong) which gives a small discount. From the airport, take the Airport Express train (25 CNY) rather than a taxi (100+ CNY).
Always carry small bills (10-20 CNY) because many street stalls can't change large notes.Eat at noodle or dumpling shops in the hutongs — they're far cheaper than restaurants near tourist attractions.Use the subway or public buses for all journeys; taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi quickly add up.
Good to know — Beijing
Type A/C/I · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ¥6.78 · CNY
Emergency Contacts
BeijingAll three numbers are toll-free and available 24/7. For tourist assistance and English-language support, contact the Beijing Tourism Hotline at 010-6513-0828. Major hotels can also assist with emergency translation services.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Beijing, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Friendship Hostel1
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 142 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Cachet — 932 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEI) / Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) → Beijing Hotel
💡 Use Didi app (Chinese Uber equivalent) for fixed pricing and English interface. Airport taxis have standard meters; avoid unmarked cabs.
Beijing Capital International Airport / Daxing Airport → Beijing Hotel / Tiananmen area drop points
💡 Good value and direct route. Buses stop at multiple hotels. Book tickets at airport counters; less convenient than metro but reliable.
Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3 (Line 10) / Daxing Airport (Line 20) → Tiananmen East Station / Tiananmen West Station (near Beijing Hotel)
💡 Fastest option. Buy a Yikatong card for seamless transfers. Download Baidu Maps for navigation; download offline maps as coverage can be spotty.
Beijing Daxing International Airport → Beijing Hotel via Tiananmen East Metro Station
💡 Premium express service from Daxing. Connects to metro for final leg. Most convenient for Daxing arrivals; uses Yikatong card or single tickets.
About Beijing
Wikipedia ↗
Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China, and is governed as a provincial-l...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Friendship Hostel1?
Request a high-floor room on the side facing away from the main road. Upper floors (above the 5th) will have less street noise and more natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Friendship Hostel1?
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor—these are closest to street level and the lift lobby, which can be noisy in peak times.
Is Friendship Hostel1 noisy?
Beijing’s streets are busy with traffic and honking. Rooms facing the front will hear road noise, especially during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Which rooms have the best views at Friendship Hostel1?
A high-floor room facing the central courtyard (if present) will give you a calmer outlook. Otherwise, request a rear-facing room away from the main street.
What are insider tips for staying at Friendship Hostel1?
1. Check in early afternoon to increase your chance of a high floor. 2. Use hostel lockers for valuables—3-star standards mean basic security, so don’t leave passports lying around.
What time is check-in at Friendship Hostel1?
Check-in at Friendship Hostel1 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Friendship Hostel1 have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for up to 2 devices per room; typical speed 20 Mbps download; requires login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Friendship Hostel1?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Friendship Hostel1?
A bowl of noodles or a jianbing (savory crepe) from a street stall or small shop runs 15-25 CNY.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Friendship Hostel1?
The Beijing subway is the cheapest way: a single ride is 3-5 CNY, and a day pass is not sold — instead, tap a transport card (Yikatong) which gives a small discount. From the airport, take the Airport Express train (25 CNY) rather than a taxi (100+ CNY).
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
September and October: clear skies, mild temperatures around 20–25°C, and lower humidity than summer. April and May also work well for blossoms and comfortable sightseeing.
Top Attractions in Beijing
💡 A security screening (bag check + ID) is required to enter the square. The flag-raising ceremony at sunrise draws crowds — arrive early if you want to see it without a crush of people.
💡 Reserve a free ticket online at least 1-2 days before. Arrive at opening (9am) to avoid queues. The museum is huge—pick one or two halls, like the Ancient China hall, to avoid burnout.
💡 Wander the side alleys off the main hub—many galleries there are free and less crowded. Check a few gallery websites for current exhibitions; some bigger shows charge 30-80 yuan.
💡 Climb to the Wanchun Pavilion for sunset photos over the Forbidden City. Tickets cost just 2 yuan, making it one of the cheapest viewpoints in the city.
💡 Book tickets online at least a week ahead, and enter from the south meridian gate. Avoid the main route crowds by exploring the eastern and western side halls first.
💡 Go early in the morning (around 6am) to see locals practicing tai chi and singing. The park is free before 8am, but you need a ticket for the temple buildings.