Originally Posted by
moondog
I don't know. SLT isn't in the center, it had the best street food, and was effectively transformed into a shopping mall (or collection of malls, if you will). The inherent conflict is that Chinese regard malls as symbols of progress and street food as reminders of the less polished past, so it's difficult for street food to survive in cool areas long term.
The ban on charcoal within the fifth ring basically killed it all off. I'm in Shunyi and we do have some vendors in our area but they are catering for construction workers. My wife went and got some as it was only 10rmb a dish - first time in twelve years of marriage I've seen her thrown food in the bin! As I said, any 'street food' nowadays is absolutely awful, mass produced frozen rubbish.
Back to accommodation anyways.... Presuming in and out of PEK I'd suggest staying in Dongzhimen (30 mins on airport express train). Holiday Inn there is about 15 mins walk to subway line 2 or the Ascott (pricey) is directly across from the station. Think its only about five stops on line 2 to get to Beijing North where the train to the wall leaves. Line 2 also has most of the tourist sites on it, and you're also a short walk to Sanlitun.
Edit: Dongzhimen also has 'Ghost' Street with hundreds of restaurants on it - famous for frog hot pot!