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.

I enjoyed my first day here so much that I decided to extend my stay for another night. I've been traveling in Xinjiang for ten days, and my trip to Northern Xinjiang is winding down. When I transit through Urumqi on my next trip to Southern Xinjiang, I'll definitely book Shahai again. The ambiance is pleasant, and the facilities are quite modern. However, some cabinet locks are broken and should be repaired promptly.

It was our first night in china and I immediately fell in love with the host and the location. The atmosphere is amazing, the spirits are near and you accepted as a part of the group the moment you step into it. The host showed us the greatest noodle palace I have ever seen and it’s around the corner. There is an intense party district within 15 minutes of walking. All your wishes will come true in Kailash! Would book again and already thinking about returning in the future. 10/10 would highly recommend.

The six-person female room was very clean! The toilet and shower were clean and odor-free! It wasn't crowded or noisy when I went. The hostel is surrounded by residential areas and looks quite old. It's very close to the Yili Bus Station, a 10+ minute walk away. The bus stop is about a 5-minute walk away. Foreigners can use Alipay to go to Liuxing Street for 1 yuan, which is a bit of a walk away. Foreigners are welcome to stay, and they can pick up packages. When you check in, you'll join the hostel group, and you can share lunch and dinner for a reasonable price. They also have barbecue gatherings from time to time, but unfortunately, they didn't happen until I checked out. 😭😭

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

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!

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.

A very satisfying stay. The people who stayed with me were of high quality. The transportation was convenient. It was right at the north gate of the ancient city of Xigu. The bus stop was also close. It was also convenient to go to the railway station via bus 28.