Hostels in Xinjiang, China

The location is excellent! It's just a few bus stops from the train station, or a short taxi ride away, and it's not far from the city center. As soon as you enter, you can feel the backpacker vibe. The first floor is a common area with a lounge for relaxing on sofas and watching TV, and an entertainment area with a pool table. After checking in, the staff gives you sheets, slippers, and even a bottle of water (so thoughtful!). I was amazed when I entered the room – it's the largest hostel room I've ever stayed in, with a private bathroom and lockers for your belongings. On the third floor, you can hang clothes and even sit on the balcony to enjoy the breeze. I have to mention the group tours; the hostel organizes daily trips to Sayram Lake and Kuerdening Grassland. Their tour leaders are incredibly well-rounded (they know all the best places to eat, play, take photos, fly drones, drive, play instruments, and provide emotional support). Yining is a place you'll want to visit again, and Backpacker's Decade is definitely the place to stay when you're there. For backpackers, it's the absolute best choice for a trip to Yining!

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 hostel has a strict no-smoking policy throughout, so the indoor air is fresh and the environment is clean and comfortable, completely free from any smoke smell. The rooms and common areas are cleaned daily by the staff. The owner and guests are incredibly friendly, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where everyone gets along well. There are daily activities like learning Uyghur and dancing, and the everyday interactions are heartwarming. The common areas are neat and cozy, and the facilities are comprehensive. It offers excellent value for money, provides a great sense of security, and is suitable for both solo travelers and groups. I'll definitely choose to stay here again next time I visit. Highly recommended!

Good Hostel with helpful staff. Easy to meet fellow travelers, though it helps to speak Chinese. Room and common area were clean. Bathroom in shared dorm could have been cleaner, but I guess that’s on the guests and not the hostel.

Environment: Nice environment and atmosphere. I met some new friends here. The owner is also very friendly and enthusiastic. He introduced the surrounding environment. Facilities: Washing machine and kitchen are available, which is convenient for drying clothes. Service: The service is also good. When it's time for dinner, the owner will prepare the meal and invite us to eat together. I really felt the strong atmosphere of the youth hostel! Location: In the scenic area, far from the city center

Really loved Gobi Hostel! It has such a great vibe, and it was awesome being able to share rides and meals with other travelers and explore together. It's definitely one of the top hostels in China. The only downside was that some men were smoking in the common areas, and the smoke smell wasn't very pleasant. This seems to be a common issue across Xinjiang, though. Overall, definitely a positive experience!

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.

Well I was only going to stay one or two days in the hostel, but I ended up finding my home here, the people were really amazing, the staff was wonderful and very polite, never felt like I was paying for staying because this is like waking up in mother’s house 😂 I really hope people come here and enjoy to the fullest what this amazing Xinjiang Culture has to offer 🌍❤️🤘

I was greeted by an auntie, the owner's mother, who was very kind. I felt a little lonely being so far away from home.

Location I’m the heart of the old city was great, if a little difficult to find: the street sign uses a different name to the listing on trip.com. There’s a fairly slobby common room next to reception where people are encouraged to sing dreadful karaoke until all hours of the morning. This might be right up your street, but if you want to sleep and your room is near that area then you can think again!