Hostels in Xinjiang, China

On my trip to Kashgar this time, I absolutely have to praise the Guilai Inn in the western district of Kashgar Old City. We arrived in Kashgar on the morning of July 6th and were about to embark on a three-day, two-night journey to the Pamir Plateau right after getting off the bus. On July 5th, before we left, I called the proprietress to ask if we could temporarily store our luggage. She was incredibly enthusiastic and immediately agreed. She also meticulously explained all the attractions along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, introducing White Sand Lake, Khunjerab Pass, Panlong Ancient Road, and Bandir Lake in detail. After completing the plateau loop and checking into the inn, the proprietress specially arranged a quiet room for us. Afterward, she introduced us to the attractions along the 'Extreme West' one-day tour. When I returned from the 'Extreme West' tour, I chatted with the proprietress and she learned that we would be leaving Kashgar early the next morning. She not only enlightened us with the humanistic stories of Kashgar Old City but, fearing I wouldn't be familiar with it on my own, personally took me on a tour through the old city streets. The inn is right next to a lively food street, bustling with lights, yet it's very quiet inside. It's very convenient to walk to the mosque and the main gate of the Old City. The transportation is extremely convenient, making it easy for tour agency drivers to pick us up and drop us off. For accommodation in Kashgar, the western district of the Old City is the top choice. Its rich local atmosphere and the innkeeper's warm service make every aspect incredibly comfortable.

Hostel is about 5 - 7 minutes away from the ”Sports Centre” metro station, which is about 25+ minutes from the airport. The hostel entrance is next to the Tesla shop, and you have to press the buzzer, for the security guard to open the gate for you. Then, after writing your name down in the guest-book, you go up to the 10th floor in the lift. (Check the other reviews here, for a picture of the gate/door to the building) The staff speak little to no English, but they are very helpful. They will try to solve your issues, as long as you patient with the translation software. Also, it is difficult for staff to check you in, if you do not have a contact number or Alipay/Wechat contact. (This is a CN Govt requirement) The dorm rooms are basic and you may get the city views. There are no privacy curtains and there was no air-con, in my one. The hostel staff can provide fans, but we did not need any, as it was still cool at night. The beds are OK. There is a bathroom in the dorm room too, but there was almost no privacy for the bathroom, as there was a gap between the door for others to see and you can see through the frosted glass into the bathroom too! The hostel is relatively clean, quiet and well-located, except there may be other local guests, who are loud and smoke sometimes in the other rooms. Next to the hostel is a nice up-market shopping centre and with really lots to eat, in the food-court on the 3rd floor.

In Yining, this is a place where you can truly slow down. I've stayed in hostels all over the world, and this one honestly ranks among the top, a real 'white moonlight' experience (meaning it's exceptional and unforgettable). The cafe at the entrance is clean and tidy. In the evenings, travelers gather there to chat and relax, which is wonderfully leisurely. There's also my favorite reading area, perfect for practicing calligraphy, finding peace, or simply reading. It's a quiet space for focused contemplation, also great for introverted friends. The communal kitchen greatly simplifies meal planning for travelers. You can cook your own healthy and affordable food. I often shared meals with other hostel guests, finding new dining companions every night. We'd chat, and every meal was lively and had an amazing atmosphere. Here, you get to experience the most authentic and vibrant slice of life. I've stayed in both the dorms and the tents, and each has its own unique charm. The bunk beds in the dorms are equipped with air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable sleep even in the summer heat. The tents offer a more private space, which is a different kind of experience. The infrastructure is also excellent; with mosquito zappers, you don't have to worry about mosquito bites.

The decoration is very novel The boss is very nice. I went to Ta County for two days. I told the boss about my luggage and he helped me store it! I met a sister from Nanning at the youth hostel and she was also very nice! Kashgar I will come again By the way, Ta County is worth a visit! But don’t sign up for a tour group from Central Asia! I didn’t go to many scenic spots, and when I arrived at the scenic spot, I was asked to come back in 5 minutes, come back in 10 minutes, and give me a maximum of 40 minutes of play time (black man’s question mark face). Then the weather was 38 or 9 degrees, and the driver drove with the windows open! (crying face)

Even though I only stayed for one night, the value for money was truly excellent. The location is right inside the Kazanqi scenic area, so it's easy to find by taxi. The front desk lady was very kind and enthusiastic, and even helped me with my luggage. The room was clean, and the comforter and pillows felt brand new. The courtyard is huge and absolutely beautiful. That night, I even joined a mahjong game with some other guests – it was so much fun! I hope to stay longer next time.

Came to Kashgar with friends on motorcycles and stayed at 'Guren Gui' – best decision ever! The landlady is an amazing cook, and you can join in for shared meals. Parking is super easy right outside the courtyard. Plus, there are mulberries and figs you can pick freely. There were also a lot of foreigners here, and chatting with them was really fun. The hostel common area is huge and super comfy on the first floor, not hot at all, and you can even sing and dance together.

Located in a convenient area, the hostel is easily accessible from Kuqa Railway Station by bus or taxi. It's also within walking distance of Kuqa Royal Palace and the pedestrian street, making it a great base for exploring the city. Without a private vehicle, it's difficult to visit nearby attractions such as the Tianshan Grand Canyon and Kiziliya. Staying here makes it easy to find other travelers to share a taxi or sightseeing plans. As a relatively new hostel, the facilities are excellent. The beds are comfortable, and the bedding is clean and well maintained. As other reviews have mentioned, the sink is located in the center, with the toilet and shower room separated on either side. This layout makes the shared facilities much less crowded and more convenient to use. The hostel sign is a little difficult to spot from the main road. From the intersection, walk about 30 meters into the large open square (parking area), and you'll find the single-story building on your left. Thank you for your warm hospitality. I hope to see you again!

The room was clean and comfortable. Before coming to Tiancheng, I was a bit wary of hostels in Xinjiang, but after arriving, I realized that was unnecessary. They offer so much emotional value, teaching us Xinjiang dances, and even if we couldn't get it right, they patiently helped us. The service attitude is excellent, no need to even mention it! 👍 I haven't experienced this level of service plus emotional value in many hostels back home. I was surprised to find they also have branches in Kashgar and Kuqa. I'll definitely visit their other locations next time. They even helped me arrange my stays at the other two branches. Next stop, Kashgar Tiancheng, here I come! 🐎

The courtyard has a very Xinjiang vibe, and the owner is super laid-back. The room is quite spacious, and the bathroom is inside, which is great. Hot water for showers is instant – no waiting! They even provide body wash and shampoo, which is convenient. The washing machine and kitchen aren't available for guest use. There's no bus stop nearby, so you'll need to take a taxi everywhere, which can make transportation a bit more expensive.

I arrived at 11 PM, and it was impossible to get a taxi. By the time I finally got one, it was almost midnight, and I reached the hotel past 12:30 AM. The staff member (little brother, as we say in China) was still waiting for me and came out to greet me. It was during the Eid al-Adha holiday, so there weren't many people around, which made his wait even more dedicated. He waited for me and then went home. The owner even upgraded my room. The moment I walked in, it was stunning – even at night, you could feel the exotic charm. Funnily enough, the wardrobe door led to the bathroom in the larger room, which was a nice surprise. Overall, it felt very retro and impressive. And it was super safe; I even went out on my first day without locking the door and nothing happened. The owner was also out enjoying the holidays, so it felt like I had the whole big villa to myself these past few days! Many people come here just to take photos. If there were more guests and the owner was around, I'm sure it would be even more fun with lots of activities. After all, such a beautiful house must be cared for by someone truly dedicated. I hope to stay here again next time. My only regret is that I was alone and no one was there to take good photos of me, but I still managed to get some great shots!