Homestays in Gansu, China

This hotel is truly excellent, it feels like it's right behind Mingsha Mountain. Originally, I wasn't that interested in the Mogao Grottoes when I came to Dunhuang, but after staying at this hotel, I feel like I don't even need to go to Mingsha Mountain. You can just play directly on the hotel grounds. Climb up the sand dune and you can see the drone show at Mingsha Mountain at night, avoiding the crowds. This saved us over 200 yuan in total for two people on entrance tickets. Sandboarding is free to enjoy, and the hotel even offered a complimentary desert buggy experience 👍. Our originally booked RV was upgraded to a tent, which was very spacious and nice. For those who dislike crowded places, I highly recommend staying here. You get the same desert landscape, and there are even musical performances at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere! Besides not being able to ride camels, there are plenty of other places in Qinghai and Gansu where you can. (Since we stayed in a tent, be prepared for absolutely no soundproofing; it's essentially high-end camping.)

The boss was very enthusiastic. I contacted him one day in advance and waited for us at the station early the next morning. The accommodation was close to the East Gate. We said we were going to Crescent Lake and Mingsha Mountain. The boss took the initiative to drive us to the Middle Gate, saying that we could save 20 yuan on the shuttle bus fare. The next day, we signed up for a tour group to go out and play. The boss also sent us to the boarding point early in the morning. The boss was afraid that it would be inconvenient to go back after the Crescent Lake Music Festival, so he also came to pick us up, making our travel very convenient. The accommodation environment is also very good, and the steamed bun for breakfast is particularly large.

The best aspect of this stay was by far the owner. He was incredibly, incredibly helpful and friendly — from the moment I walked in the door he offered me a cup of tea, then provided tea and bread the next morning for breakfast, offered advice on what to see in the area, arranged a car to take me to Dalzong Lake, and finally even found me a spot on a local minibus going to my next destination. I couldn’t have done half the things I did during my stay in Xiahe without his advice and efforts on my behalf, so that alone made staying here fully worthwhile! It’s worth mentioning that the guesthouse’s architecture is also absolutely beautiful, and everything looks quite new. It’s located down a quiet side alley off of one of the main commercial streets in town, which seems like the ideal placement. On the accommodations: I stayed in one of the two tents erected on the second floor of the guesthouse. This was largely quite a good experience! The bed was very comfortable (with a heated pad), water and towels provided, etc. The tents are not in a closed-off area, but rather on the second floor/balcony area that also is used for sitting, serving tea, etc., so privacy is somewhat limited, but the whole guesthouse is relatively quiet anyway so it doesn’t feel like a public space. My only suggestions for improvement would be related to the bathroom: during my stay, the shared bathroom for the tents was a sort of temporary-style booth installed in the corner of the room with a toilet, sink, and showerhead. The bathroom was very clean and everything inside worked well, but its sliding door separated from the wall enough that there was always a substantial enough space on one side or the other that could be seen through (the door also didn’t lock and slid back and forth easily). The booth was also small enough that, realistically, I think it would be a bit of a challenge to actually use it to shower. If possible it might be worth looking into some simple fixes to improve these situations, but otherwise I have no complaints!

Of course! Here is an extremely positive hotel review crafted from your experience. --- Title: An Unforgettable Oasis of Hospitality - A Solo Traveler's Dream! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I cannot recommend this exquisite home stay highly enough! My five-day visit was nothing short of perfection, from the moment I arrived until my warm departure. As a female solo traveler from abroad, safety and welcome are my top priorities, and this family went above and beyond to make me feel like part of their home. My journey began with a incredibly gracious complimentary pick-up from Dunhuang airport, which immediately eased any travel fatigue. The hospitality only blossomed from there. The host family provided me with such genuine individual attention, offering personalized advice for visiting the breathtaking Crescent Moon Lake and the awe-inspiring Mogao Grottoes. Their tips were invaluable and helped me experience these wonders to the fullest. Now, the food! Each meal was a delight—authentic, home-cooked, and prepared fresh with so much care. It was truly delicious and gave me a real taste of local cuisine. My room was a haven of comfort and cleanliness, kept absolutely spotless throughout my stay. A wonderful daily touch was the replenishment of complimentary beverages: refreshing peach tea, pure water, and delicious coconut water—perfect after a day of exploring the desert. The most touching moment came upon my departure when the hosts presented me with exquisite souvenirs from the Mogao Grottoes. It was a gesture of such kindness and generosity that I will forever cherish. This home stay is a gem, perfectly suited for solo travelers seeking a safe and welcoming environment, couples looking for a unique retreat, or families wanting an authentic experience. I am already counting down the days until I can return next summer. A heartfelt thank you to the most wonderful hosts!

This stay was absolutely delightful! I was initially worried about the location being a bit out of the way, so I only booked one night. To my surprise, getting a taxi on the first night was super easy, so we extended our stay. While there aren't other guesthouses right around ours, we noticed a whole street full of guesthouses nearby, which seemed crowded and noisy. At night, lying in bed, you can hear the wind brushing against the walls, but it's not loud; it actually feels like being in harmony with nature. My husband and I also went gold panning – if you find gold coins, you can exchange them for prizes. We went enthusiastically, expecting a small sandbox like in a park, but it was a massive area! **Mingsha Mountain View Afternoon Tea:** The chilled apricot peel tea was delicious. **Fengmingsha Desert Restaurant - 30% off coupon for set meals:** After we landed, the butler collected our luggage and told us hotpot was ready, just waiting for us to freshen up and eat. The lamb wasn't ***** at all, and the dipping sauce was really tasty.

If life is a never-ending journey, then the camping trip at the Desert Star Hotel is undoubtedly a highlight of my journey. When I arrived at the campsite, the first thing that attracted me was the unique tent house. Unlike regular tents, the top of the tent is made of special transparent materials, like a huge viewing platform, which builds a bridge of communication between me and the vast galaxy. As night fell, I couldn't wait to lie on the soft bed, and when I looked up, the bright starry sky was presented to me without reservation. The stars twinkled, like gems inlaid on the black sky, beautiful as a dream. At that moment, the world seemed to press the mute button, and the impetuousness and noise in my heart were instantly soothed. The unique beauty of this quietness made me intoxicated. It is worth mentioning that the hotel staff is very considerate. After placing the order, the customer service guy at the front desk added our contact information and gave us some local travel tips, which saved us a lot of time. From the warm reception at check-in, to the careful guidance during the activities, to the warm greetings at night, every detail made people feel cared for. They not only provided me with thoughtful service, but also made me feel the simplicity and enthusiasm of the desert people. This desert camping trip not only allowed me to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the desert, but also experienced exciting and interesting activities, which became an eternal and beautiful memory in my heart.

The hotel facilities are exceptionally complete. The entire room was clean and tidy, with a full range of toiletries and stable water pressure in the shower. The air conditioning worked very well, and all the furniture and appliances were provided. It was a comfortable and hassle-free stay, an absolutely fantastic experience.

Out of our 9-day trip along the Qinghai-Gansu Loop, this homestay was our family's absolute favorite. It's a place with real heart and soul, where every detail is thoughtfully considered. Even our five-year-old said he'd give this hotel 30 stars! The homestay has a great design aesthetic, and the rooms are spotless, perfectly matching the tastes and ideas of younger travelers. We always bring our own disposable toiletries when we travel, but here, everything was already provided in the room. I also really loved the landlady – she's just one of those people you instantly like, and it was so comfortable interacting with her. From the moment we checked into the homestay in Dunhuang, we had such a positive impression of the city. Even though our stay was brief, it's full of beautiful memories. When we were leaving, she found out my child liked apricots and even gave him some from her own yard, which was incredibly touching. The breakfast offered a wide variety, and it was all very enjoyable. I truly recommend this homestay if you're coming to Dunhuang. I hope everyone gets to experience the genuine warmth and hospitality during their travels here. Their raisins are also highly recommended!

Facilities: Excellent, I absolutely loved the desert here. Cleanliness: Spotless and tidy; you can tell the owner put a lot of effort into it. Environment: A bit dry, but that's understandable given it's a desert. Service: The housekeeper, Xiao Yu, was on call whenever needed, which was great.

This guesthouse is truly unique! Each room is named after one of the twelve zodiac signs, with designs that blend local flair and astrological elements. In the evenings, you can go stargazing, with options for an indoor lecture and actual observation from the rooftop. The instructor mentioned that summer is the best season for stargazing, and if you want to spot your own zodiac constellation, it's best to visit around two months before or after its designated month. They even gave us wishing bottles for our own zodiac signs, which we filled with sand from Mingsha Mountain the next day to take home! The host is incredibly warm and helpful; you can ask her about local tourism, car rentals, and more – she's very considerate. Breakfast is different every day, with a thoughtful and nutritious selection. There's also an adorable cat who loves to 'accompany' you during meals, often sitting on a chair. She gets so happy if you share half an egg yolk with her every morning! She also recently had three tiny, adorable kittens! The guesthouse features a classroom and a spacious, bright lobby, making it feel especially suitable for study tour groups. We initially planned to stay two nights but loved it so much we extended for another night. The village atmosphere is quiet and comfortable, and it's about a 15-minute taxi ride to Shazhou Night Market and around 20 minutes to the train station, so transportation is very convenient. Highly recommend for family trips and educational tours!