Turpan Hotel is one of XinJiang's best dorm options, with basement rooms containing six beds. The toilet and showers are elsewhere and while they are of Asian design and a little dimly lit, the hot water and pressure is magnificent. It's hot in Turpan in the summer and you'll need those showers! The basement rooms keep cool even if it's 40 degrees outside, so you won't need air conditioning (none is provided anyway). However there are water leakages in the room and the constant dripping could affect light sleepers. In all the dorm is a little dingy -- paint is peeling on the walls, the electrical sockets look downright dangerous, and there is little space between beds. However the beds are comfortable and the sheets are clean.
The Turpan Hotel is about seven hundred meters from the bus station -- a ten minute walk -- down a road lined with vine tressels. The hotel has a safety deposit and there is internet on the premises at John's Cafe Information Desk -- which is rather a contradiction in terms. Apparently they can organise your travel, but they seem far more adept at rather curt service for internet and drinks. There is also a Chinese and Uigher restaurant on the premises.
The best communal areas are in John's Cafe and the restaurant on the premises, but if you're here out of season there aren't a lot of people around and it can be hard to find a tour without being hassled. Tours of the old silk road cities and sights are the thing to do here. You're best to find other people and get your own taxi, but there are tour guides around otherwise.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2007
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