Homestays in Gansu, China

The location is inside Tianshui Ancient City, a bit hard to find. Breakfast is a collaboration with the shop next door, only available from 8 AM, which is different from the information provided here. The room's screen mirroring works fine, but there are constant ads… The room doesn't have a key; it has a combination lock, so you don't have to worry about only having one card for two people. The front desk provides many free small items that you can use. The downsides are that if you stay on the first floor, you'll hear noise from outside, and if no one is at the front desk during check-in, you'll have to wait.

I'd always wanted to experience an overnight desert stay in Dunhuang, and after comparing the crowded campsites within Mingsha Mountain, I ultimately chose Shazhou Wilderness Luxury Camp. The overall experience far exceeded my expectations. The camp is located in a private desert hinterland, so there's no need to jostle with other tourists. The entire stretch of dunes and dried wood photo spots were ours to enjoy. We had unobstructed views of the sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening, creating an incredibly atmospheric experience. We booked a tent room, which was incredibly picturesque. The interior space was sufficient, with a dry/wet separated bathroom, 24-hour hot water, air conditioning, and a refrigerator – all fully equipped. The bedding was clean and free of sand, and the toiletries were comprehensive. It's truly rare to find such living conditions in the desert. The camp offers its own activities, so there's no need to flock to scenic areas: The UTV desert off-roading was incredibly thrilling and exhilarating. The large, gentle slopes in front of the camp are perfect for free sandboarding, and sand-digging tools are provided free of charge, keeping children entertained for an entire afternoon and giving parents a break. I must especially commend the butler service. We had one-on-one assistance throughout our stay. Before check-in, they sent us directions and important information, and they were always available if we had any questions. I accidentally lost my iWatch en route, and at 3 AM, the butler drove me back into the desert to retrace our steps and search for it. They went through a lot of trouble, and I felt incredibly bad for them. They were also very responsive to everyday requests, quickly bringing water, extra blankets, and props. With children in tow, the entire stay was worry-free.

This stay was a truly pleasant surprise! From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful with our luggage. The room was larger than expected, with a cozy layout, and the cleanliness was impeccable – not a speck of dust even in the corners. The mattress was just right, not too soft and not too firm, and the soundproofing was excellent, so I had a wonderful night's sleep. Breakfast offered a wide variety of choices, including some delicious local specialties. They even gave us a thoughtful little gift when we checked out. Fantastic value for money, I've already recommended it to my friends!

One of my favourite stays in 6 months across China Communication before arrival was smooth via WeChat, and the staff proactively helped me plan a full itinerary for the region, all in English, which as a foreign solo traveller in China I truly appreciated. The hotel arranged a driver who picked me up directly at the train station gate and took me wherever I needed to go. I could adjust my plans at any time, and he was always there waiting or arrived right on schedule. The whole organzation was genuinely flexible and reliable. The location of the hotel is perfect, like less than 10 minutes walking from Danxia Park West Gate, so you can catch the 5:30 AM opening for sunrise at Platform 1 and go for sunset at Platform 3. The staff helped me to go to Binguo, Kangle Grassland, Alien Scenic Park, Pingshan Grand Canyon and Mati Temple. Over 5 days, I saw far more than I ever could have managed on my own, especially as this area is really remote and no didi is available. It is one of my favourite trips and stays from six months in China and I’ve seen quite a bit. Would come back without hesitation.

This was easily one of the most memorable stays during our trip to China. The camp is located right beside the stunning desert, offering breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. What impressed us most was how many activities were included for free. We enjoyed unlimited sandboarding on the dunes, a camel riding experience, and even had the chance to ride off-road motorcycles in the desert. Everything was well organized and suitable even for first-time visitors. The traditional Dunhuang-style dinner was delicious and gave us a great opportunity to experience local flavors. In the evening, we watched a wonderful bonfire party with live performances, and the spectacular molten iron fireworks show was absolutely amazing—something we had never seen before. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The tents were comfortable, clean, and surprisingly well equipped considering the desert location. If you’re looking for a unique desert adventure that combines natural beauty, local culture, exciting activities, and excellent value for money, this is the perfect place. Highly recommended for international travelers visiting Dunhuang! We would definitely stay here again!

The best aspect of this stay was by far the owner. He was incredibly, incredibly helpful and friendly — from the moment I walked in the door he offered me a cup of tea, then provided tea and bread the next morning for breakfast, offered advice on what to see in the area, arranged a car to take me to Dalzong Lake, and finally even found me a spot on a local minibus going to my next destination. I couldn’t have done half the things I did during my stay in Xiahe without his advice and efforts on my behalf, so that alone made staying here fully worthwhile! It’s worth mentioning that the guesthouse’s architecture is also absolutely beautiful, and everything looks quite new. It’s located down a quiet side alley off of one of the main commercial streets in town, which seems like the ideal placement. On the accommodations: I stayed in one of the two tents erected on the second floor of the guesthouse. This was largely quite a good experience! The bed was very comfortable (with a heated pad), water and towels provided, etc. The tents are not in a closed-off area, but rather on the second floor/balcony area that also is used for sitting, serving tea, etc., so privacy is somewhat limited, but the whole guesthouse is relatively quiet anyway so it doesn’t feel like a public space. My only suggestions for improvement would be related to the bathroom: during my stay, the shared bathroom for the tents was a sort of temporary-style booth installed in the corner of the room with a toilet, sink, and showerhead. The bathroom was very clean and everything inside worked well, but its sliding door separated from the wall enough that there was always a substantial enough space on one side or the other that could be seen through (the door also didn’t lock and slid back and forth easily). The booth was also small enough that, realistically, I think it would be a bit of a challenge to actually use it to shower. If possible it might be worth looking into some simple fixes to improve these situations, but otherwise I have no complaints!

Overall, I'm giving this hotel five stars, but it's not for everyone. This place is for people seeking a slice of life...It promotes a slow pace and to really understand the hotels value you need to actually spend time there. Also looks really ideal of families - lots of area for kids to roam without getting into trouble. If you just want a bed to crash in while spending most of your time outside, don't stay here. Also if you want the most Instagrammable hotel around? Yes, book it. Pros: Amazing view, super peaceful. The layout feels like a camp you walk out and you're right in the common area, easy to relax. I came back late one night and heard absolutely nothing for a long time. Service is genuinely 5-star; they really care about your experience. Some previous reviews mentioned they staff attitude is bad - I confirm this is either fixed or incorrect. Maybe I don't expect people to pamper me 24/7. There are plenty of staff and if you chat to them or make a request they will 100% help. Rooms are cleaned well. Some previous reviews said the aircon was bad, but mine worked great, and hot water never ran out, temperature is easy to control. Also, people said no food delivery - wrong. I got delivery even during a sandstorm, no issues. Taxis and Didi come to the hotel fine, about 12 kuai from the center. Cons: The bathroom is extremely small. If you're over 177cm / 73kg or have a broad build, I can't recommend you stay here. I kept bumping into walls, and the shower curtain stuck to my skin mid-shower – my biggest letdown. The room gets hot, stuffy, and smelly if you turn the aircon off during summer days. I made that mistake once. I'd suggest the hotel install sensors to manage temperature or air out rooms when guests are out. Breakfast is simple – looks and tastes fine, but gets repetitive and you can't choose from a menu.

The floor and beds have floor heating, the service is very good, and the landlord is also very good. The view room is particularly good, especially suitable for parents and children. Later, I still live in their home. I wish their business is booming.

I originally chose this place because it's within a 15-minute walk to the middle gate of Mingsha Mountain, and for just over 300 yuan a night, you can see the stars. It exceeded my expectations, so I had to write a proper review! P1-3: The room was very clean, with no unpleasant odors. The skylight for stargazing was as big as the bed, and sunlight streamed in when it was open! The TV was a Xiaomi, and the toilet and shower were all in great condition. I saw the Big Dipper from bed at night—absolutely amazing! P4: The guesthouse is family-run. At noon, I heard the owner's mother calling ”Lunch is ready!” Since I was traveling alone, the hospitable owner invited me to join them. So, we all squeezed together at the table, chatting and laughing, and the moment reminded me of many tranquil and beautiful movies. P5-7: Because it was before the May Day holiday, the guesthouse wasn't busy, and I was invited to try the food and have a barbecue at the Western restaurant near the entrance. The owner took me to the market to have freshly cut Aksai lamb! PS: The Western restaurant was delicious!! You can tell from the pictures! P8: After returning from Mingsha Mountain in the evening, seeing the room door was truly therapeutic! INFP understands! I highly recommend this guesthouse. Firstly, the accommodation is very comfortable, and secondly, it was a long-lost relaxing and warm experience for someone like me who's been working like a dog for so long!

We were still traveling a few days ago, so I didn't have time to write a review. Now that I'm home, I want to give a proper review of this ******* guesthouse. Out of all the places we stayed during our Gannan road trip, this was by far the most satisfying. The entire guesthouse has a rich ******* ambiance, and the room's hygiene and facilities were impeccable. What's even more noteworthy is the ******* clothing experience – it was truly fantastic! All 8 of us took photos and group pictures in the garden, and the owner even took them for us. The accommodation is also very close to Labrang Monastery, which we walked to. I highly recommend it to everyone!