Hostels in Yunnan, China

Traveling solo in Kunming, my stay at Old Big Foot International Youth Hostel completely exceeded my expectations – it's truly an ideal haven for backpackers! The location is absolutely unbeatable. Just a few steps out the door is Zhuanxin market, where I could get everything from tofu rice noodles and Dai-style snacks to fresh fruit in one go. It's also not far from the subway station, making it super easy to get to all the major attractions around the city. The hostel itself has a courtyard bursting with bougainvillea, and you'll find traveler messages and map check-in walls everywhere. The downstairs bar is perfect for sunbathing during the day, and for listening to music and chatting at night, sometimes with guests playing guitar – it's such a gentle and therapeutic atmosphere. The accommodation details are incredibly thoughtful. Every bed has a full blackout curtain, creating a private little space when drawn. The bedding was clean and odorless, there was 24-hour hot water, and the cleaning staff tidied regularly, so the bathrooms were completely free of any smells. They provide lockable lockers and self-service washer and dryer machines, so no worries about valuables or laundry. The front desk staff were incredibly patient, offering detailed recommendations for local tours and free luggage storage. Their 24-hour presence made me, as a solo female traveler, feel completely safe. It's really easy to meet like-minded travel companions here. There are plenty of activities like billiards, movie nights, and city walks, so you never have to worry about feeling lonely. The prices are affordable, the facilities are comprehensive, and the atmosphere is warm. It's perfect whether you're staying for a short visit or just passing through. I wholeheartedly recommend it to solo travelers who enjoy a lively, authentic vibe!

This was my first time staying at a hostel from this chain, the one near Kunming's Zhuanxin Farmers Market, and I remember it had a beautiful bougainvillea bush! I chose Qincheng Hostel again, this time picking this specific branch because it's super close to Cuihu Lake, Wenlin Street, and Yunnan University. Their restaurant offers a great variety of food and drinks, and I particularly love their curry beef rice. There are activities every day, and especially on Saturday nights, they have a concert. The singer's voice is unique and beautiful, and listening to music in their cozy bar is just the most comfortable experience. 'Hei Mu Ya' (Blackwood Cliff) is their elevated platform, nestled among huge eucalyptus trees. It's really peaceful on rainy days and nice and cool when it's hot.

The location within Shuhe Ancient Town is super convenient for exploring both Shuhe and Baisha Ancient Towns. Getting to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is also an easy taxi ride. However, the room environment was really subpar. The soundproofing was terrible, and the room door was heavy and noisy to open and close. Since there's no air conditioning, you have to open the window for ventilation, which just made the noise even worse. My room was near the shower area, and people were showering late into the night. Someone even blasted music loudly in the middle of the night, and no one seemed to care. It woke everyone up until one of the guests finally shouted for them to turn it off.

Traveling to Dali solo, I chose Lili Wanxiang and had a really comfortable stay. Each room has its own sink, shower, and toilet, which is super convenient. The common areas have a great vibe. If you're out in the Old Town and want to come back, there's always a shuttle bus available. Most importantly, the dogs here are incredibly, incredibly, incredibly cute, like little trucks! And there are kittens that look like gas cans too!

I've stayed in many hostels across the country, but this is the first one I've truly wanted to recommend to everyone! The atmosphere is fantastic, the scenery is beautiful, it's clean and tidy, and the owner is lovely. It's especially amazing to just sit on the sofa and zone out when the sun is out. This is hands down the best value-for-money hostel I've ever stayed in. The owner even gave me a ticket to a stage play! If you love ethnic culture, you'll be absolutely thrilled! Highly, highly recommend!!!

Traveling to Dali solo, I blindly picked iYe Youth Hostel and it was absolutely the right choice! The overall vibe is fresh and healing, with a courtyard full of Yunnan charm. You can see Cangshan Mountain just by looking up – the atmosphere is just perfect. The rooms are spotless, with ample storage space, and the bathroom is well-divided, making it very convenient to use. The common areas were a pleasant surprise. Whether it was relaxing in the afternoon or chatting with fellow travelers from all over the world and sharing travel stories in the evening, it felt incredibly comfortable. The owner is easygoing and knows all the best spots in Dali, giving out niche tips that helped me avoid many tourist traps. My stay here was relaxing and happy; not only was it comfortable, but I also met many interesting people. It was a truly warm stop on my Dali trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone traveling alone!

Located right next to the core area of Xishuangbanna, the surrounding commercial environment is lively with plenty of large supermarkets and shopping streets. The bedding was relatively comfortable and clean, but many of the bathroom facilities were broken. Also, the cleanliness of the hostel's common areas could be significantly improved. Hopefully, it will get better and better!

This hostel boasts an excellent location. It's a pleasant 400-500 meter walk to the Lancang River, and Peacock Lake Park is about a kilometer away. A fresh market for fruits, along with 'Luoluo Bingwu' (a local dessert shop) and several other restaurants, are all within a kilometer's radius. You can easily rent an electric scooter right outside to visit attractions further afield. It’s perfect for both long-term stays and short trips. The hostel's common areas are very spacious. The first floor is great for working, and the second-floor terrace is incredibly comfortable – perfect for sunbathing during the day and stargazing at night. The overall cleanliness is good, and the bedding is very comfortable and clean. The four-bed and eight-bed dorms share two bathrooms, so there's never a queue. The environment is quiet, as it's located within a residential building. The owner is a warm, friendly, and very helpful sister.

Probably the best hostel I have seen in Asia. Rooms are spotless, staff is very friendly and always keen to support. They also speak good English. Recommended!

The location is a bit of a journey – after getting off at Dali Station, you take bus number 4 for about 40-50 minutes, and it's located across from Dali Ancient City. I found it easily using the Baidu app. Once you enter, there's a small garden, and the reception is in the middle of it. I chose the most comfortable and free-spirited bed, and right in front of it, you can exercise. There's a punching bag, a bike, and what looks like a stair climber. The toilet is in the room itself, but for the shower, you have to go to the main house, where there's also a washing machine (8 yuan). Aside from a slight strange smell from the bed's wall, the bed isn't uncomfortable at all, and there's an electric blanket, so it wasn't too cold at night. I decided to stay for another day. Oh, and the owner speaks English, so communication is not an issue.