Hostels in Xinjiang, China

Whenever I return to Yining, this hostel is always my first choice. You can easily team up with other guests to explore, and the host even organizes excursions. It's perfect for students, backpackers, or long-term travelers on a budget, allowing you to save money that can be spent on richer travel experiences. The front desk's chalkboard or their WeChat group is regularly updated with real-time travel info, which is far more practical than any guidebook.

The location is excellent, just 1 km from Urumqi Railway Station and directly opposite Wanda Plaza. The beds are very spacious, and the entire place is impeccably clean. They provide slippers, towels, and disposable toothbrushes. The rooms are equipped with an en-suite bathroom and a washbasin. Plus, you can pet two adorable, chubby cats in the lobby – how fun!

We had an amazing time in Kailash Hostel! It is pretty close to Illi Bus Terminal. It has a really nice common area with lots of details. The owner Toni is a really open and kind person! He welcomed us with open arms, made very good coffee and even invited us for breakfast. You can see that he really wants his guests to have a good time and he also connects people in the hostel. We would totally recommend staying here!

The accommodation is generally good, but there are two minor points. 1. When asking the staff how much the minimum extension fee is, the staff said 80, but it is 75 yuan when booked online. It is not reasonable to point out this situation. The female staff member was very loud and emotional and repeatedly said to the resident: I am just a worker, I don’t know much; some people even booked more than 90, why don’t you say; if you think it is cheaper online, go and book online, don’t ask me to book. This is not a normal staff at all, the basic work quality should be; there should be no emotions in life, but they should not be brought into work; 2. In summer, it is normal to have some mosquitoes in the room. The mosquitoes here may bite cattle and horses. People can’t stand it when they are bitten, and the swelling is very big. Go to the hospital; Youth Hostel does not have any medicine, and it is recommended that subsequent residents bring their own mosquito repellent and other medicines;

Nice location which is 4 min walk from the West gate (cars are not allowed in the ancient city area so being close to the gate would be an advantage). A lot of shops and restaurants just downstairs where you can get everything you need. Easy to wander around the ancient town as well. The dormitory bed and the bathroom is nice and clean. There is activity at night to socialise. Staff are nice and helpful. Will recommend this!

Great hostel to stay at for a short trip to Kashgar! It’s close enough to the Ancient City (about a half hour walk) and easy to get to both the railway station and airport by bus. The amenities here are great with good lounge areas, free laundry, place to hang laundry, and a kitchen! The bathroom situation isn’t great thought because the shower is right over a squat toilet. Also this isn’t the cleanest tidiest hostel with rubbish overflowing and and luggage strewn around the reception area. It’s not a big issue but be aware the hostel is definitely not as nice as the photos!

Ella is a conscientious and gracious host who has cultivated a warm and fun environment. I had a great experience sleeping in the comfortable dorm which was a very fair price by China standards as well. Facilities are new and clean. I slept well on a comfy bed in a relatively quiet neighborhood that’s still very close to the ancient city. Also you can take a taxi directly to her Homestay whereas in the ancient city you have to carry your bags at least a few hundred meters from taxi drop off. Ella was patient and answered all of my touristic questions while caring for the other guests too. Also she often prepares a potluck meal for a fair price. I met many interesting travellers here too so if you are looking for a good base to rest that meets your social and touristic needs as well Ella’s home is the place for you. Probably my favorite hostel in my month in China. Shame I have to leave. The private rooms look quite cozy as well

Luggage storage was just kept in the open at the busy front desk, which felt quite insecure. The bunk curtain wasn't long enough to fully block out light and was also very thin/translucent. The lockable locker provided for luggage in the room was tiny. There was no light within the bunk itself. The small fan with a light they provided was dead. The bed was the hardest I've ever slept on in any hostel. There were only two communal bathrooms per floor, which were combined shower, sink, and toilet facilities – and consequently very damp. The only upsides were its excellent location and decent value for money. That's pretty much it.

The two male owners were incredibly kind and helpful. When I lost my phone, they went out of their way to help me check the CCTV footage and locate it. They also have a super cute, chubby cat – seriously, anyone who takes such good care of an animal must be a good person! They have designated smoking and non-smoking areas, which is a nice touch. There's a washing machine available, and the air conditioning is always on and free to use. The bed linen is changed for every new guest, and you put on your own sheets, which makes you feel very reassured. The mattress is memory foam, so it's super soft and comfortable. Housekeeping cleans thoroughly every day. The location is great, near a shopping district with places like Mixue Ice Cream & Tea. There's also a local farmers' market nearby where residents shop, making it super convenient for fresh produce and other groceries. There's an incredibly delicious BBQ joint nearby that I visited every single day of my three-day trip – their grilled gluten skewers are to die for! Plus, there's a bus stop right next door, so getting around is really easy.

The location is great. The shower and toilet at 2nd floor need to be clean regularly. Also it helps to put curtains at both the entrance/exit because when you take shower, the wind/ cold air really send shivers down your spine. Please please fix the door at 209, 211. When you want to close the door from the outside, you have to pull to shut it and the bang can wake up the whole neighborhood.