Tongzhou
Introduction
Tongzhou is a district of Beijing, sitting in the southeast of the municipality and acting as the capital's eastern gateway. Downtown Tongzhou lies roughly 20 km east of central Beijing, at the northern end of the Grand Canal and at the easternmost end of Chang'an Avenue. The district as a whole covers about 906 km², and is divided into four subdistricts, ten towns and one ethnic township.
Long known in English as Tong-Choo-Foo, the area has grown considerably in recent decades, with its population rising sharply between successive censuses. For a visitor, its position at the head of the Grand Canal and the far end of Chang'an Avenue makes it a natural extension of a Beijing itinerary eastward.
Getting there
Tongzhou is straightforward to reach from central Beijing by metro. Line 1 and the Batong Line run through without a change at Sihui Station, and every station from Beiyuan to the terminal lies within Tongzhou District. Alternatively, change at Sihui to bus 322, which serves Beiyuan and continues along Xinhua Street, the main shopping street. Bus 804 from Guomao also runs to Beiyuan and onward along Xinhua Street.
Other rail options cover different parts of the district. Line 6 has stations on the west bank of the Grand Canal, with some stops serving the new municipal administration area on the east bank. Line 7's six eastern stations are in Tongzhou and end at Universal Resort. A fast bus route now runs along Chaoyang Road, and the metro line 22 being built along the same road will improve access to the modern area east of the canal.
Getting around
Some of the routes that bring you into Tongzhou also run through the district, so they can double as local transport once you are inside it. Further local buses are available, but be aware that a large part of the district is not well covered by public transportation, so some destinations will require a taxi or a longer walk. Buses 322 and 804 both serve Beiyuan and continue along Xinhua Street, the main shopping street, which makes them useful for shopping and central district errands.
Official taxis are scarce in the district, while unofficial "black" taxis are everywhere, at least in the central part of the district; weigh the convenience against the usual risks of using unlicensed transport, and arrange a licensed taxi where possible. Plan for gaps in public transport coverage outside the well-served areas.
Where to stay
Budget options cluster along the main streets, with Home Inn branches on Yongshun South Street and Xinhua East Street offering straightforward doubles, and the Jinjiang Inn on Tonghu Street providing another inexpensive base.
- Home Inn (Beijing Bailiqiao) — Yongshun South Street
- Home Inn (Tongzhou Xinhua Street) — Xinhua East Street
- Jinjiang Inn — Tonghu Street
For something mid-range, the Nongzhao Hotel sits on North Street, while the Beijing Dongfang Hotel is on Chezhan Road, the main restaurant street. The Yunheyuan Hotel in Songzhuangzhen offers extensive leisure facilities including swimming, bowling, tennis and massage, though its smallest rooms are quite small. The Asia Pacific Garden on Yuqiaoxi Road provides spacious rooms, some with internet for a surcharge, alongside dining and fitness amenities. Further out, the Canalfamily Hotel in Rulin sits in rural surroundings near the Grand Canal, with downtown Tongzhou reachable by taxi, and the Beijing Yunheyuan Hotel on Yunhe West Street offers rooms with free internet.
At the top end, the Holiday Inn Beijing Moonriver lies beside the ancient Grand Canal near where the canal from Huangzhou to Beijing once ended, at the eastern edge of Beijing close to small villages but easily reached via the Jingtong Expressway. Near Universal Studios you'll find The Universal Studios Grand Hotel, decorated after the golden age of Hollywood above the park entrance, and the NUO Resort Hotel, a luxury property with decoration inspired by the Old Summer Palace.
Food & drink
< p>Chezhan Road is the district's main restaurant street, lined with dozens of places to eat. For Sichuan cooking, try Xinbashu Shuizhuyu, known for sliced fish in hot oil; the food is good, though the service is not impressive. Taishouxi, also on Chezhan Road, is one of the best restaurants on the strip, popular with locals and especially busy late at night when other places have closed; expect it to be expensive. Guo Lin Restaurant serves home-style dishes on the same road, and Daqinghua Dumpling Restaurant sits by the Beiguan Roundabout. Big Pear is on Jiukeshu West Road, a short walk northwest of Jiukeshu Metro Station. Near Universal Resort, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. offers American shrimp and prawn dishes at Universal CityWalk Beijing. < p>For coffee and a place to linger, head to Riverside Café on Chezhan Road, which serves the best coffee in the district along with Western and Chinese drinks and food, plus free internet; it is expensive. Dio Café on Yunjing East Road is a modern café with Western and Chinese offerings, though the staff are not familiar with the Western items and the coffee tends to taste the same whatever you order. Chaihuo Bar on Jiukeshu West Road is another option for a drink.What to see and do
Tongzhou's best-known landmark is the Randengfo Pagoda on Yongshun Road, the oldest and tallest pagoda in Beijing and the symbol of the district. For local history, the Tongzhou Museum on Xinhua West Road covers the area's role as the eastern gateway to the capital. Near the old shopping street and market, Xihaizi Park is a small green space with a playground and a view of the pagoda. The Songzhuang Artist's Village is the district's contemporary art hub, with a dense concentration of artists along Renli Road east of the village. Several galleries are worth seeking out: the Artist Village Gallery, Eye Haunt Art Space, Soemo Fine Arts, and TS1, which promotes contemporary work across all media. Outdoors, the Grand Canal Culture Park marks the historic terminus of the Grand Canal, a good spot for riverside walks, kite flying, skating under the bridge, and boat trips when the water allows; the Grand Canal Forest Park is another free option. Universal Beijing, reached via Universal Resort Station, offers seven themed zones. For active pursuits, there is the Grand Canal Golf Club, an outdoor swimming pool in summer, and the Strawberry Fest music festival at Tongzhou Canal Park around 1 May.Three days in Tongzhou
Day one: Start in Downtown Tongzhou, the historic core of the district, and orient yourself along Xinhua Street and Xinhua East Street, where much of the local life and commerce is concentrated. Walk or take a bus to the Grand Canal, the waterway that shaped Tongzhou's identity as a transport and trading town on the route into Beijing. In the evening, stay in the Downtown Tongzhou area, where options include the Home Inn on Yongshun South Street, the Jinjiang Inn on Tonghu Street, and the Nongzhao Hotel.
Day two: Use the Batong Line to reach the district from central Beijing, or arrive via Sihui Station or Sihui, and connect through Guomao if you are coming from the city side. Spend the day exploring the length of Xinhua Street and the surrounding avenues, dipping into the side streets for local food and everyday shopping. If you want a longer outing, head toward Universal Resort, which sits within Tongzhou District and draws visitors from across Beijing.
Day three: Take a slower morning around the Grand Canal and the older quarters of Downtown Tongzhou before heading out along Chaoyang Road or one of the other main arteries. Buses run frequently across the district and into Beijing, so you can move between Tongzhou Xinhua Street, Beijing Bailiqiao and the surrounding neighbourhoods without much planning. Alternatively, use the Batong Line back toward the city, or connect at Sihui and Guomao for the rest of your journey.