The Jingshan Courtyard hotel is a breath of fresh air.
Several of the hotels we stayed at during our China trip were modern international hotels.
But we wanted our first hotel to give us more of the “China” experience. The Jingshan Courtyard Hotel did that. It is located down a narrow alley in a “hutong” : traditional Chinese neighborhood with streets not designed for cars. You can’t take a taxi to the hotel’s door, although it was an easy, well-marked, two minute walk from the nearby main street, Jingshan Park Street. After stepping though the simple lobby of the hotel, you are presented with a breathtakingly beautiful courtyard. The rooms are well-appointed, and the bathroom was spacious with a very comfortable modern shower. Note: For those who have trouble with stairs, there is no elevator, and the breakfast room is on the second floor.
Our room came with breakfast included. The breakfast area is a beautiful wooden room with a delicious buffet. An omelet and a cup of fresh brewed espresso is included.
The location is ideal, across the street from famous Jingshan Park, which overlooks the Forbidden City.
The hotel is walking distance from the North Gate of the Forbidden City. It is also a short ride on the 111 electric trolley bus to the tourist shopping district.
I will caution that the Chinese like their beds extra firm, and these beds were the firmest of the several hotels we stayed in. (By our last night, I felt I would get bruises if I slept another night