Wuhan Pathfinder International Youth Hostel

Wuhan Pathfinder International Youth Hostel is an excellent hostel, for a kind of out-of-the-way place. Wuhan isn't really a major destination but more like a crossroads, so it was surprising to find such a good hostel with staff that speak pretty good English. This hostel is quite large with all kinds of rooms. It has internet access and free Wi-Fi for everyone out there with laptops.

The Location

Wuhan is very large city, like three towns melted into one. The hostel is not that easy to find, as it is not actually on the main road but situated back off it. There are a couple of signs but they are not as visible to newcomers as they could be. It is opposite the Merchant Bank. There are lots of food stalls on the street and KFC is only a five-minute walk away. The bus and train stations are around a thirty-minute walk or five minutes in a taxi or ten minutes in a bus depending on traffic. It can get incredibly busy here on the streets.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Rooms are spacious with two-, four-, and six-bedded dorms -- single and twin rooms are available. We had a twin room but found the en-suite toilet could get a little smelly. Air freshener is a must. All the toilets are Asian (squat toilets). Loo roll and towels are not supplied but linen is. There are plenty of sockets and a mosquito repellent. Lockers have working locks -- and that is a bonus. Beds are comfortable and all rooms have air con. Some, but not all rooms, have TV.

Common Spaces

There is a kitchen and huge eating area, a TV room with a large selection of DVDs, a computer room with four PCs and space for you to use your laptop, and a room for reading in. It is very easy to meet and chat to people in the restaurant area as it is often quite busy. They will do your washing for you for a small fee and hang it in the courtyard, where you pick it up once it's dry. They will store your luggage for you if you check out at noon but your train doesn't leave until the evening. It can get noisy at night with the odd party going on late, but reception staff are usually there to calm things down if they get out of hand.

Summary

Our stay at this hostel was very pleasant. Staff are always very polite, chatty, and helpful. The place is really kept clean too, which must be a huge task in itself as the place is so large. If we ever find ourselves in Wuhan again, we will be staying here for sure.

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