The Lu Song Yuan Hotel is where to stay if you want to experience a little piece of Old Beijing. Set in a hútong running off of Naluoguxiang, it is comprised of five courtyards, which were once the residence of Qing dynasty General Zeng Ge Ling Qin. The 56 rooms are each unique with different furnishings and Chinese antiques from when the residence was built 170 years ago. Make sure to request one of the three rooms with a kàng-style bed for the true imperial experience as well as a courtyard view. For all of its charm, the hotel does lack some 21st century amenities (although there is broadband Internet) and the staff has varying levels of English. However, there is no better place to pretend you’re a local, sipping your tea in a traditional ‘grandfather’s chair’ in the study.