Courtyard 7 秦唐府七号院

For a semi-authentic Chinese experience without compromising on comfort, Courtyard 7 ticks most boxes: Gray brick buildings with vermilion beams and steep, tiled roofs wrap around tended gardens in an open Chinese courtyard setting.

Spacious rooms are house traditional rosewood-framed beds girdled with silk drapes – firm for the uninitiated, but comfort is assured elsewhere by cozy under-floor heating, rain forest-style showers and a hearty buffet breakfast.

The hotel sits on a quiet side alley off of Nanluogu Xiang, straddling the old and new parts of town. Head east for lattes, cocktails and Mao kitsch, west for traditional snack vendors and card-playing locals.