Chinese Box Courtyard Hostel (opened in July 2008) is a really cozily decorated and welcoming place. It's not super social, but the rooms and bathroom are well heated in winter and the courtyard is a peaceful haven for summer evenings.
The Location
The hostel is located near FuChengMen metro station. When exiting the station, take exit B. Just as you exit onto the large street (Fu Cheng Men Nei Da Jie), wondering by the newsstand if you should go left or right, choose left. Walk about until a large intersection with traffic lights (about five hundred meters) and turn left (onto Zhao Deng Yu Road). Cross over to the other side of the street and take the second alley to the right. It should be named Xi Si Bei 2 tiao. Walk about two hundred meters and the hostel will be a closed dark red wooden gate on your right hand side, with a discrete silver sign saying "Chinese Box Courtyard Hostel."
Rooms and Bathrooms
Rooms are decorated in a Scandinavian style (clear wood, white duvet covers) and well heated (or cooled in summer). The beds have rather thin mattresses and you can feel the wooden strips underneath, but the duvet is pleasant. There are individual reading lamps and lockers with keys. Many different room options are available for various prices (privates, dorms between three to six people). Bathroom can be shared or private. Shared toilets are in the courtyard (a bit cold in winter!), and European style (not squat toilets) and very clean. The showers are well-powered and well-heated, but are missing hooks to hang your clothes and towel on. A laundry machine is available too.
Common Spaces
The common area is rather small, but very cozily decorated with ethnic textiles and Chinese art, and warm orange walls. The resident cats cozy up on the sofa during most of the day (and are keen to have a look inside the dorm rooms, don't be afraid to kick them out!). Two computers with a good internet connection are available as well as Wi-Fi (all free). There is also a widescreen TV, but it's rarely turned on. There are the beginnings of a book exchange, with lots of Chinese books and a few guidebooks. A downside to the indoor common room is that it gets very smoky because of its small size. China has not yet adopted the no-smoking policy that seems to be the rule in the western world. The courtyard is definitely a comfortable area to spend warm summer evenings outdoors, and it is nicely decorated with many plants and goldfish in pretty glass bowls.
Summary
A really pretty hostel, with cheap delicious noodles available all day for a small price as well as spaghetti and coffees/teas. The place is spotless and the staff are smiling and helpful and speak good enough English. The hostel also offers tours and maps of the city of Beijing. Be aware that it is not situated in a bustling area, but a rather dull street, without any nearby cafes or pubs.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2008
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