Sleeping Dragon International Hostel is the best "old Shanghai" hostel. Its not very centrally located, there is no McDonald's nearby and it's not new. It does lend the traveler to the most authentic cultural experience one can hope for in Shanghai and it doesn't hurt that it's cheap and in a grand old house with loads of common space. Plus the staff are not only nice but actually helpful.
The Location
The hostel is easy to get to from the Metro in a few minutes' walk. The directions provided are very good, but it is in a perhaps unlikely traditional Chinese street and the sign is small. The street is grungy and the hostel is the only reason foreigners come there. It's a true demonstration of the traditions of living in this city and their clashing against the rapidly changing urban life. Nearby is a prison and many police are around. It is quite safe for visitors but the battles between the old ways of life and the rapidly approaching commercial development are vividly apparent.
Nearby there are restaurants, a cashpoint, a pedestrian street, and numerous shops. There are several local buses and trolley buses nearby as well. Try them to save money or get around faster. Its easy and cheap to get most everywhere on them. It is also possible to walk to the ferry terminal (about fifteen minutes due South) from which boats depart to Pudong. Driving is not recommended -- taxis, motor-bike taxis, and pedicabs are plentiful.
The hostel advertises bike hire. They only really have one bike, which is tiny and in bad repair at the time of stay but the staff are helpful and able to arrange bikes for rent from local friends. It's very easy to bicycle throughout the city once you get the hang of traffic. This makes the location of the hostel much more attractive, especially if you prearrange things with them so they run smoothly.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms are spacious, and have beautiful high ceilings (throughout the hostel). They have AC, long curtains, smell of pine bunk beds, and even offer balconies with views of the Oriental Pearl and skyline. The larger dorms seem smaller and more pleasant due to individual lighting schemes and careful layout. The shower are separate in a room of tall wooden stalls and have a system of hooks for clothes kept dry by a curtain system that is popular in China. Hot water seems ample. The bathrooms and shower room are not air conditioned.
Common Spaces
There is are two common rooms in the hostel with space to sit a dining table, two free internet computers, a book exchange library, and cold beverages for sale. They are comfortable for sitting, talking, or reading. Chandeliers, wood moldings, wood floors, and many other ornate details show that this hostel was once something very fine. There is also a large deck outside which lends itself to the cooler weather of evenings and a well equipped kitchen that seems as if it were previously a professional one. The kitchen is home to many bugs (like much of Shanghai) and not really appealing to cook in. Otherwise the hostel is very clean.
Motivation to get out of the place after a while is there as well. It's not a big hostel, and it seems either the social element goes over well and friendships may even start, or the guests respect each other and smile in passing at worst.
Summary
This hostel is a win on location -- it's not central to the tourist sights, but actually a house on a real old-school Shanghai street. It's clean, well designed, and in a beautiful building. The price is great, especially for walk-ups (often the cheapest in town). It's not for people who are just in town to see the towers and who want to shop.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2009
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