After much research, I chose my accommodation in Beijing in the Dongcheng district, a short walk from the Forbidden City.
The location turned out to be perfect: close to the subway, surrounded by Beijing’s hutongs, and with dozens of places to try Beijing’s cuisine just a few minutes away on foot.
My advice if you’re going to travel to Beijing is to prioritize proximity to a subway station over hotel luxury. A well-located accommodation in Beijing saves you hours of commuting.