Chinatown Hotel Mystery?

Question

So I stayed at the Chinatown Business Hotel near Wangfujing, it was...interesting. The room was small, but clean enough. The staff were mostly friendly, but one guy behind the desk seemed to always be whispering on his phone in a language I couldn't place. Super creepy. Anyway, I found this little alleyway behind the hotel with these amazing street food stalls. I ate some incredible dumplings, but then... I saw him again. The guy from the desk. He was just standing there, watching me. What's the deal with that place? Is it just me, or is that hotel kinda...shady?

emmykammerer · Answer

Sounds like a scene from a low-budget spy thriller. Maybe he wasn't watching *you* specifically, just... keeping an eye on the alleyway? Lots of shady stuff can go down in those backstreets. Or maybe he's just a really, really intense phone-addict. Small hotel in a big city... that explains a lot. Beijing's got its own vibe, and sometimes that vibe is... intense. Don't sweat it too much unless he starts showing up at your next hotel. Then you got problems.

roselies · Answer

honestly the chinatown business hotel is just one of those places that's been riding on its location for years. the whispering guy is prob just a bored night manager who likes to feel mysterious, i've seen that type before. the food alley behind it is actually called shijia hutong and it's one of the few spots in that area that hasn't been totally gentrified yet. if you want a hotel with less weird vibes try the jinglun hotel on jianguomenwai, it's older but the staff are super chill and the breakfast buffet is solid

emine · Answer

that hotel's been around forever, it's basically a landmark for budget travelers who don't know any better. the staff there are mostly uyghur or from xinjiang, so that language was probably uyghur, not some spy code. the dumpling stall in that alley is legit though, i go there for the lamb and chive ones. if you want a less weird spot next time, try the hanting express near dongsi, same price range but way more normal.

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