Hostels in Xinjiang, China

"It's 2 AM, and I can't sleep after writing this review in the courtyard, so I just got up and sat here. The night in Liuxing Street is so quiet, with only occasional dog barks and distant lights. The moon hangs above the apple tree. I've stayed at this hostel for three days and will be leaving tomorrow. There are some things I want to write down before I forget. First, let's talk about hygiene. I have a peculiar habit: the first thing I do when entering a room is to feel the tabletop and windowsill. And truly, it was spotless. The floor is wood-grain tile, and walking barefoot on it felt perfectly clean. The bedding was freshly changed and smelled warm, like it had been sun-dried. There wasn't a single hair on the public restroom floor, and the trash cans weren't emptied only when overflowing. What touched me most was that the cups in the wash area were placed upside down in a sterilizer cabinet, for guests to use. Yes, a sterilizer cabinet. Location: It's in an alley in Liuxing Street, but very easy to find. Turn right out of the door, and a small alley leads directly to the main street. To the left is an old residential area, perfect for aimless wandering. It's about seven or eight minutes' walk to the Alexander Accordion Museum and also to the famous ice cream shop. If you, like me, enjoy walking and exploring small alleys, this place is a paradise. There are three bus stops nearby, making it convenient to go to Kaxgar and Hanren Street. Service: The front desk staff was a girl with a ponytail, and her voice was soft. It was drizzling when I arrived on the first day, and she handed me a dry towel to wipe my hair. When I came back late at night, I found a message on the small blackboard at the entrance: 'There's yogurt in the fridge, help yourself.' I thought it was for a fee, but when I asked the next day, she smiled and said, 'It's free, we worry you might get overheated in this weather.' When I left, I forgot my power bank, and she chased me down two alleys. Facilities: The beds are incredibly stable; the bunk beds don't wobble. Each bunk has a curtain, a light, two power outlets, and a small shelf, perfect for a phone and glasses. The common area has a water dispenser (with both hot and cold water), a microwave, a refrigerator, and a toaster. There's also a washing machine that can be used by scanning a QR code. The most pleasant surprise was a small bookshelf with not many books, but a few picture books about Ali, which made me want to visit Mount Kailash as I flipped through them. Atmosphere: Unlike some hostels that deliberately force social interaction, the atmosphere here is very natural. In the evening, someone played the Dombra in the courtyard, while others just listened quietly. There was an older gentleman who had just returned from a pilgrimage, his feet still swollen, sitting on the steps drinking sweet tea, and no one disturbed him. Occasionally, people would strike up a conversation, also in soft voices. I'm sitting in the courtyard now, and the evening breeze is a little cool. The moon is bright, and I can see the shadows of the clouds. I'll probably feel a bit reluctant to leave tomorrow. But it's okay; I know I'll be back. The night of Liuxing Street, the dream of Mount Kailash, and the gentleness of this little courtyard all remind me why I'm always on the road."

"This hotel boasts an excellent location, almost directly opposite the century-old teahouse, placing it right in the heart of the ancient city. Male dorms are on the second floor, female dorms on the third, and the rooftop is on the fourth. The hotel is home to several adorable cats, including British Shorthairs and a 'Big Orange' (ginger cat). The price is incredibly reasonable; a few tens of yuan in Kashgar is a fantastic deal, in my opinion. I personally saw the quilts, pillowcases, and sheets being changed for new ones! They even smelled like they'd been sun-dried. The room was very quiet at night, with no noise allowed inside. I'm very satisfied! Highly recommend!"

"I absolutely loved this hostel as a young western female solo traveller and made great friends there. The room was very affordable, and the air conditioning, clean toilets, showers, and big windows made a big difference during my stay. It was also surprisingly quiet. I also have to mention the wide beds. They were almost like small rooms with cardboards, lights, and shelves in the 'private area' behind the bed curtain. The surroundings of this hostel aren't especially nice, and I really hated the indoor smoking in all the common areas. But that's how it goes: you win some, you lose some hehe"

"I was traveling alone and met some absolutely wonderful ladies here. They were all so kind and helped me out with so many things. When I was unsure what to do, they even took me out to try delicious food and cook together. In the evenings, we'd have a drink and chat. I really love it here. Although I'm a bit sad I didn't get to visit the Pamir Plateau, the experiences I gained here far outweigh that regret. Thank you for meeting all you wonderful ladies! This room is also very cozy, and the bathroom is great too."

"Overall, it was incredibly clean, the cleanest hostel I've ever stayed in. It's also the only place where I've actually seen them sanitize the slippers, so I highly recommend it. My only suggestion is to add more activities. The whole point of staying in a hostel is to meet people and do things together, so it can be a bit boring when you can't find anyone to hang out with."

"My trip to Yining was a last-minute decision, so the accommodation booking was quite rushed. Initially, the photos looked good. Let's get straight to the pros and cons! Pros: The price was reasonable, and the location on Liuxing Street is excellent. Although there's no elevator, the front desk staff were very helpful with luggage, and since it's not many floors up, climbing wasn't strenuous. There's a large terrace upstairs, which was very convenient for drying clothes. The water heater provided quick, strong water flow. Despite facing the street, it was surprisingly quiet. Cons: The first room we were given had dirty bedsheets, and the drawers contained dust and hair. The owner attributed it to oil from a previous guest's takeout and promptly moved us to another room. It's baffling why a room, if not properly cleaned, would be offered to a new guest, regardless of the mess's origin. The bed in the new room was clean, and while there was still some dust in corners, it wasn't too bothersome. However, at night, I noticed the toilet paper dispenser was full of white powdery dust, which was quite off-putting. The guesthouse itself is quite new, and the location is excellent. However, the owner seriously needs to get on top of the cleaning!"

"My stay was fantastic! The courtyard is beautiful, and it's super close to all the attractions in the Old Town, plus public transport is really convenient. The owner is so welcoming and friendly. You can even join in for meals, and the restaurant they recommended was delicious with a great atmosphere. After staying in hostels throughout my trip, this one definitely gets a big thumbs up!"

"The room was spotless and was cleaned daily during my three-day stay. The owner has an amazing personality and patiently answered all my questions about local travel tips, which I really appreciated 🙏. The hostel has a fantastic vibe; everyone was making plans to explore together, watching movies, singing, playing games, and those who were good at cooking even prepared meals – just remember to clean up afterwards! I had a truly wonderful and comfortable stay, it was definitely a highlight of my Xinjiang trip."

"A beautiful little courtyard tucked away in the old town, full of local charm and character. The front desk lady was super friendly and gave us a warm introduction. The room was really clean and tidy (oops, forgot to snap some photos!). The owner also has a very lively dog! Since it's an all-female stay, there were no safety concerns at all. We even saw some neighborhood cats wandering into the courtyard occasionally. Overall, a fantastic place to stay, highly recommend!"

"I stayed here for over a week and absolutely loved it! The ladies working here were all incredibly warm and charming. We even went shopping together and had some late-night skewers. The hotel's decor is beautiful, and being surrounded by local ethnic minorities really allowed me to immerse myself in the local customs. It was truly wonderful!"