《In a Shanghai Hostel, I Met the World》
I originally just came to Shanghai to apply for my UK visa.
It should have been a simple trip – stay one night, get things done, and leave. But sometimes, fate gently pulls you in unexpected places, like this hostel called Hi Cozy. Like many traveler's transit points, it's nestled in the bustling fabric of Shanghai, and its reviews often mention the friendly staff, comfortable common areas, and an atmosphere that easily sparks conversations among strangers.
What truly made me stay, wasn't the bed, the price, or even the seemingly 'worthwhile' facilities, but the people here.
There were two girls at the front desk, Melody and Lindsay. Melody was full of smiles, like a bright breeze, instantly putting you at ease. She wasn't overly enthusiastic; her smile felt more like an innate kindness, as if just by arriving here, your day couldn't be too bad. Lindsay, on the other hand, had a different kind of gentleness. She might send you on an extra errand, but she was never perfunctory; instead, she'd genuinely look after you, remind you, and consider your needs. They made me realize that the most precious thing about traveling isn't being 'served,' but being treated as a real person.
The common room was always buzzing with people.
Someone would be writing in the guestbook, noting down their country, their name, or simply drawing a simplified Oriental Pearl Tower. Those words were light, like footprints drifting on paper, yet surprisingly real. You'd suddenly realize that the world isn't far away; it's right there in these books, by a table, in a stumbling but sincere greeting.
Here, I met Stefano from Italy and Yana from Russia. We played darts together; it was her first time, but she played like a pro. There was also a Russian man who chatted with us while playing chess, as if different languages, different backgrounds, and different lives were all unfolding slowly on the same table. Hao Hao from Hong Kong and I clicked instantly; we'd lose track of time talking, feeling like we'd known each other forever. Later, I met friends from Canada and Germany. Everyone looked different, but sitting together, it felt like we all belonged to the same night.
Holi, Wimi, Ethan, and 27 – we went for late-night snacks. It was just a very late meal, but it felt like we were catching up on all the unspoken words of the day. That night, we talked about so much – travel, the future, that indescribable void in everyone's heart. By the end, even the night seemed quiet. It was a strange feeling; we'd known each other for such a short time, yet it felt like we'd walked the same path for ages. The next day, I went out with Holi, Wimi, and Ethan again, carrying the warmth of the previous night into the day. Holi even treated me to an expensive hotpot that I would have hesitated to buy myself. That hotpot wasn't just delicious; it felt like a very earnest and gentle act of care. She truly felt like an older sister, not just someone who bought me a meal, but a sudden sense of stability in a foreign land, making me feel gently embraced.
That night, we talked about futures that sounded like jokes but were deeply serious in everyone's hearts. It was 4 AM. The lights were still on in the common room, and Melody was working alone at the front desk. In that moment, I suddenly understood that the most precious part of travel isn't how many sights you see, but that on some unexpected night, with a group of newly met people, you lay bare the softest parts of your heart and realize you're not so alone after all.
I always thought travel was just going from one place to another. But this time, I learned that true travel is suddenly encountering a group of young people in a strange city who, like you, are still passionate about life. We're all a bit confused about the future, but we're still willing to believe in tomorrow and in becoming better people. And because of that, every word that night felt like a rehearsal for the future.
When I left, I felt a deep reluctance.
I had only come to Shanghai for business, but in the end, I took away a memory more important than the business itself. It wasn't a photo, a social media post, or a simple 'I was here.' It was a very specific feeling: of being embraced, understood, and gently cared for by a group of strangers from all over the world.
Later, I realized that some places aren't just somewhere to stay for a night. At some point, they quietly become a part of your life.
And Hi Cozy, for me, is just such a place. If I have the chance, I'll make a special trip to stay there again.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
