Beijing Urban Map
click to view large map (29M size)
TianAnMen square is the city center, there are 6 ring roads around the center, within 2nd road is the downtown.
if you chose hotel, downtown and between east 2nd and east 3rd ring road would be better, because this areas near to main attractions.
if you visit the inside city attractions, it would be easy and fast to ride the subway, there are the english signs in the whole metro.