Beijing Central Business District (Beijing CBD) is located at the convergence of Chang’an Street, Jianguomen, Guomao, and the Yansha Embassy Area. This area is home to many global Fortune 500 companies’ China headquarters, including the new locations for CCTV and Beijing TV. It is also the base for numerous domestic financial, insurance, real estate, and internet companies. As a hub for financial instruments, the CBD represents the forefront of fashion and modernity.
Travel Information about Beijing CBD
Ticket and Opening Hours
- Ticket: No admission fee required.
- Opening Hours:
- Xiushui Street: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- World Trade Center Plaza: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Getting There
- Location: Chaoyang District, Beijing.
- Subway: Take Line 1 of the Beijing Subway and get off at Guomao Station.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★
- Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Beijing CBD
CCTV New Headquarters Building
The CCTV New Headquarters Building is located in Beijing’s CBD, adjacent to the Guomao Building. The building features a unique structure: a diamond-shaped ring wrapped in a mesh of intersecting triangles. It consists of three main components: the CCTV Main Building on the southwest side, the Television Cultural Center (TVCC) on the northwest side, and the Energy Service Center on the northeast corner.
World Trade Center Square (世贸天阶)
World Trade Center Square consists of two commercial wings and two office buildings, along with outdoor spaces like the stepped plaza. The commercial wings are built entirely of stone, blending modern architecture with a classical, refined aesthetic. Above it is Asia’s first and the world’s third-largest electronic fantasy sky screen. The screen measures 250 meters in length and 30 meters in width, with a total cost of 250 million yuan. It was designed by Hollywood stage master Jeremy Railton, who has won both the Oscars and Emmys. The screen broadcasts films, football matches, and Spring Festival Gala performances, and it also allows for interactive online features such as proposals. The screen usually operates before dark and shows a new presentation every half hour.
Xiushui Street Market
Xiushui Street (Silk Street) is one of China’s most influential international tourist shopping markets. It originally started as a narrow alley, about 300 meters long, lined with small individual shops specializing in clothing, accessories, and silk products, attracting many foreign visitors. The new Xiushui Street, built next to the original market site, spans three underground levels and five above-ground levels. It retains the original market’s product range and street charm. The market is renowned for its ethnic commodities, including high-quality clothing, silk, pearls, porcelain, tea, crafts, and traditional Chinese cuisine, including offerings from Quanjude.
Visitor Guide for Beijing CBD
Dining Options
In the Guomao area, there are many shopping malls with a wide variety of dining options. Besides these, numerous hidden eateries within office buildings offer exceptional culinary experiences, though many are on the pricier side.
- The Lounge at the Grand Hyatt Beijing (1 Jianguomenwai Avenue): Located on the top floor, this spot offers panoramic views of Beijing’s nightscape. The lounge is open to guests with a minimum spend; fruit juices start at 55 RMB plus a 15% service charge. A selection of premium liquors is also available. Window seats are limited, and the bar operates until late into the night.
- Sanwutang Restaurant (F2, Building B, Phase 3, Guomao Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue): This is the all-day dining restaurant of the New Guomao Hotel, offering buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant features a stylish environment with green plant walls, creating a fresh and pleasant ambiance. Window seats provide views of the CCTV New Headquarters, enhancing the dining experience.
- Han She Sichuan Restaurant (NL4019, 4th Floor, North District, Guomao Mall): This Sichuan restaurant is known for its artistic decor and excellent dishes. The flavorful and juicy braised pigeon is particularly memorable.
- World Trade Center Plaza (9 Guomao Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District): The surrounding area has many outdoor cafés and dessert shops, as well as other shopping centers. Nearby are modern venues like Chaoyang SOHO and Zhongjun World City, offering unique street views and an opportunity to explore after a meal.
Shopping
The Beijing CBD area is home to a concentration of shopping destinations, including Guomao Mall, SOHO Modern City, World Trade Center Plaza, and R&F Plaza.
- World Trade Center Plaza: Besides its stunning night views, the plaza is a shopping hub worth exploring. Notable stores include an Adidas flagship store, one of only 20 globally, and a high-end Japanese restaurant opened by a Japanese parliamentarian, marking its first entry into China. Additionally, there’s Beijing’s first foreign-run bookstore specializing in foreign language books.
- Guomao Mall: As a key component of the Guomao Center, this mall boasts a total area of 100,000 square meters with 50,000 square meters of retail space and nearly 300 tenants. It features international luxury brand flagship stores and concept stores, catering to fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, dining, and services. It’s a must-visit for shopping enthusiasts.
- Palace Cinemas: Located in Phase 3 of Guomao Mall, Palace Cinemas features five screening rooms with a total of 624 seats. Operated by Hong Kong’s high-end cinema brand PALACE, the cinema is known for its excellent environment, superior sound systems, and comfortable seating.
Accommodation
The area around Guomao is home to many luxurious hotels, offering a high standard of comfort and service, though often at a higher price. Here are two notable options:
- Beijing Guomao Hotel (1 Jianguomenwai Street): Standing at 330 meters tall, this is the tallest hotel building in Beijing. It offers spacious rooms, with an average area of 65 square meters, making it one of the largest in terms of room size in the city. All rooms feature panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, providing stunning views of the Forbidden City and Beijing’s skyline.
- China World Hotel (1 Jianguomenwai Street, Guomao Mall Phase 1, F2): Opened in 1990, China World Hotel has set a new standard for luxury hotels in Beijing. It has hosted numerous heads of state and government leaders. Known as Beijing’s “second state guesthouse,” the hotel frequently hosts high-level political and business guests and accommodates major international conferences and events.