China Travel Forum

[Elmer]

I should go to travel to China in the winter, in January. I very much
would like to look China, especially Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and also
railways of China.
I need accomodation in those cities on January-February . Is it probably to help me with accomodation? Anybody know cheap hostels in China?

[David Huang]

These are where I stayed - all decent hostels and fairly cheap.
Beijing - Downtown Backpackers - can be book a single room was 120RMB. A dorm was from 45 to 60RMB (also ensuite). This included breakfast and a cheap bar/restaurant. The place was extremely friendly and the bar was great, with a superb library of guide books. It was about 3km North of the Forbidden City but in a really cool hutong. I would strongly recommend it.
Shanghai - Captain Hostel. This was clean and comfortable. It was 60RMB for a night. It wasn't particularly friendly though and I thought it was a difficult place to meet other travellers. Others have recommended Maggies guesthouse but it is not so central.
Hangzhou - I loved this town and the hostel - Hangzhou International Youth Hostel was a good place to meet other people. the staff were friendly and it was in an excellent location. Cost 40RMB a night.
Xi'an - staying at Shuyuan. It is a great friendly and sociable place. they have offered free dumpling making parties and Chinese lessons since I have been here. The shared facilities are rather grim - a dorm is I think 50RMB, a double room is 160RMB (including clean bathroom!)
Xian- same as Tom, Shuyuan is a nice place, which is near the south gate of the city wall,
50RMB - dorm, but don't know the price of the double room