Cloudland International Youth Hostel

On my first morning in China, I arrived early while it was still cold. A staff member from the coffee station, I think, invited me to wait inside where it was warmer. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot. The front desk team were welcoming and made check-in easy and enjoyable. I really appreciated that hospitality and would love to stay here again. Thanks for a lovely first hotel stay in China. I didn't catch the coffee station staff member's name, and I'd be glad to know it.

Short version: I slept with bed bugs. I arrived on Friday the 21st and booked a bed in a five person dorm. They put me on a top bunk, but I saw lots of mold on the wall beside it and didn't feel okay sleeping there. Reception moved me to an eight bed dorm and gave me a free breakfast card, so I was happy with the change. I took only what I was wearing and my chargers up to bunk A in room 204. When I woke up, I asked to move again to a room with fewer people. They put me in room 202B, the bottom bunk in the room with the mold I'd mentioned. I was okay with that because my face wouldn't be right next to the mold, and I didn't see any on the lower bunk. After showering, I went out to explore. My ankles got intensely itchy and swollen while I was outside, and I kept scratching. I didn't connect it to bugs. Since I was at about 2,000 meters above sea level, much higher than I'd ever been, I thought it might be the altitude. That evening I checked the room for bugs, but I was still clueless and brushed it off. I figured room 202 was new to me anyway. I felt a little better when I woke on Monday the 24th. On my last morning, while getting ready to check out, I finally saw bugs and took a photo. I gathered my things from the bed, asked for a garbage bag to put them in, and reported what happened at reception. They called the manager. I said there had been bugs in both 202 and 204, based on when my symptoms started, and that I was upset and wanted my money back, plus money for dry cleaning. The manager said housekeeping would look for them and asked me to show proof, so I sent my photos. Then she suggested I might have brought the bugs and offered to refund just one night. I explained that the trouble began on my first night but didn't show up immediately, and that I'd mistaken it for altitude. She offered to dust my clothes and check they had no bugs. I said bugs had been in multiple rooms and the hostel needed fumigation. After a heated discussion, she asked how much I wanted for cleaning. I guessed 150, though it actually cost 200. She spoke Mandarin to the receptionist. I recorded part of it and translated it; she said I was doing this intentionally. I shouted back that it wasn't intentional and I'd gladly trade the whole encounter for a stay without bugs. I got my stay refunded and money for dry cleaning. The Wi-Fi is bad, but I met nice people and the place looks good. The other employees were nice too. They just need to deal with the bugs and mold.

The staff were so kind and helped us with everything, especially arranging a taxi. Our room was clean and comfortable, and the experience was really nice. There's a nearby market with plenty to see if you enjoy walking around and looking at things. The hostel also serves dinner at a good price.

The dorms are comfortable, and the staff are really friendly. There's a large cafe area, though the smoking spot is too close to everything and smoke drifts indoors. The food is expensive. My avocado and egg sandwich was not good at all, while the Yunnan fried goat cheese was okay. The hot drinks were really good, though.