Xian ShuYuan International Youth Hostel

Xian ShuYuan International Youth Hostel is located inside the old city, close to several attractions. They offer free pick up from the train station. The hostel has a bar, a restaurant, and many cheap places to eat around! The hostel itself it is a preserved traditional Chinese courtyard house, what makes it a great place to stay to feel the traditional Chinese architecture.

The Location

With great location in the city centre of Xi'an, the hostel is located in the southern part of the central walled area of the city, and it is very convenient to many places you will want to visit and see. You can rent a bike or walk to most of the places such as the drum and bell tower, the Arab Quarter, and right outside the hostel you have an access to the top of the city wall. If you prefer to stay and chill out, the hostel offers all sort of activities depending on the day of the week, so do not forget to check that out!

Rooms and Bathrooms

The hostel offers different options for every budget -- they have very cheap dorm beds and a bit more expensive double or twin rooms that can compare to any three- or four-star hotel's service. The dorms for the price are very good value -- they even offer dorms with only two beds! if you are on a very tight budget you can ask for a bed on the basement, which are really good value -- the ventilation is quite good, and all dorms come with lockers where you can use your own padlock to feel safe. The private rooms come with private bathrooms with twenty-four-hour hot shower. On the other side if you are staying on a dorm, you will need to check the specific times for hot water available for showers. The rooms and communal showers are very well kept and clean, in the showers there is even a curtain to separate your clean and dry clothes so they do not get wet.

Common Spaces

There are many places where you can relax, chill out, or have a beer at the hostel. At the reception there is a small lounge with couches, and computers where you can access the internet for free! There are four computers and they also offer free Wi-Fi in case you are traveling with your own laptop. If you need to burn your photos to a disk, you will have to pay for that service and they will do it for you, as there are not DVD or CD burners on the free computers.

There is an inside garden with chairs and tables where you can sit and chill for a while. They also have a restaurant where you can purchase breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but prices are not on the cheap side. The food is really good, and they also give you a free welcome coffee (only on check in), and for every night you stay at the hostel, you are entitled to a free beer that you can have at the bar. It is conveniently located downstairs and away from the rooms so you do not hear any noise in case you just want to sleep. At the restaurant they offer a library where you can swap your books, but they ask two of your books for one of theirs.

There is a ping pong table also located in the basement that you can use until 10 p.m. so you do not disturb other guests after that time with the noise. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly although their tours are a bit overpriced compared to other places. They also have laundry services and almost everything you might need. They have list of places that are recommended to go for dinner as well.

Summary

It is a great place to stay. Whether you are on a budget or not, they have rooms that will suit every need. The place is full of travelers from all around the world that you can meet and chat. If you like nightlife, you can head down to the bar or if you are just looking for a quiet evening, you can chill out in one of the several living rooms around the house.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2009