This time when I came to Beijing, I wanted to avoid the crowds in the city center and find a place to stay where I could leisurely experience the atmosphere of the embassy district. My friend directly recommended Beijing Guangming Hotel to me, saying that it is hidden by the Liangma River and is an old foreign-related hotel that has been open for many years. Pushing open the window can catch the evening breeze of the embassy district. The moment I dragged my suitcase into the gate, the green wutong in the courtyard hit my eyes, and I really felt the unique slow rhythm along the Liangma River.
It only takes 8 minutes to walk from Line 10 Liangmaqiao Station, instead of detouring in the subway, you can walk two steps along the shade of wutong trees in the embassy area. When checking in, the front desk staff brought a refreshing and lively atmosphere unique to old Beijing. They heard that I was a tourist visiting Liangma River, so they specially arranged a river view room on a higher floor for me. They also drew a map of a nearby niche walking route for me, saying that walking along Liangma River towards Yansha, you can see many niche cafes hidden in the embassy area along the way, which is much more interesting than crowded Sanlitun. The moment I opened the door, I was amazed. The whole french window was facing the wave of the Liangma River. The small western-style building in the embassy area in the distance was hidden in the leaves of wutong. The tea table beside the window had arranged the old Beijing jasmine tea given by the hotel in advance. The warm fragrance came out, and the tiredness of the journey disappeared in half.
What surprised me most was the large courtyard of the hotel. The wutong that have been planted for decades block out the sky, and even the air is filled with the fragrance of leaves. The next day, I got up early and took a walk along the trail in the courtyard. The old Beijing man who was doing morning exercises was practicing Tai Chi under the trees, and foreign friends passing by smiled and nodded to greet you, completely devoid of the crowded feeling of a downtown hotel. The details of the hotel are full of the steadfastness of an old brand hotel, and the soundproofing of the rooms is far beyond expectations. Even if there is a pedestrian flow by the Liangma River downstairs, you can still sleep soundly after closing the door. The mattress is just as soft and hard, and after a day of running around and lying down, the soreness all over your body quickly dissipates.
The location is even more convenient. You can walk down the stairs for 5 minutes and then enter the Liangma River. You don't need to take a taxi. You can walk along the river in slippers for an afternoon. The sunset in the evening dyed the river into gold. The small restaurant and art shop along the way are hidden under the wutong tree, and the photos taken are full of atmosphere. Walk to the other side for ten minutes and you will reach the Blue Harbor. If you get tired of shopping, just find a restaurant and sit down to avoid the crowds in the city center. On days when I didn't want to travel far away, I sat in the lakeside teahouse of the hotel for an afternoon, ordered a Pea puree cake tea with jasmine tea, and watched the Liangma River cruise ship passing by slowly outside the window, even the time seemed to be stretched out.
The dining experience of the old hotel is also very authentic. On the breakfast buffet, the fermented sour milk made from ground mung bean wow gold coke rings and steamed steamed buns with the characteristics of old Beijing are very authentic, and even the noodles that local talents like to drink are well prepared. After strolling through Liangma River at night and returning to the hotel, you can also enjoy authentic Russian Western cuisine at the restaurant. This is also the signature feature of Guangming Hotel, which has been open for so many years. You don't have to travel far to taste the authentic foreign flavor.
When my three-day trip to Beijing ended and I left with my suitcase, I was still carrying the Beijing Eight Pieces that I had just bought from a local old brand. Compared with the crowded online red hotel in the city center, the comfort of Beijing Guangming Hotel is the steadfastness hidden in the shade of wutong on the Liangma River. Next time I come to visit the embassy district in Beijing, I will definitely choose this place as soon as possible. There is no need to rush, just take a leisurely walk along the Liangma River for an afternoon. This is the most important way to open up for a trip to old Beijing.Show more