Nanjing Fuzimiao Youth Hostel

I'm still torn about this hostel. Its location right in the city center is really great, and the rooftop bar has a lovely view over the canal, with food and beer at fair prices. That rooftop is a beautiful place to spend time. The cleanliness could be much better. There were dirty corners in the room, especially in the bathroom, and some ants. Not a huge amount, but noticeable. The rooftop public restroom also has no western toilet, which is a problem for a place calling itself an international hostel. English was another issue. Neither the bar nor reception staff spoke it. They tried using translation apps on their phones, but it didn't work well. We did get our room in the end, though I was disappointed with the service. The location and rooftop make up for some of the negatives. I'd book again if the other international hostels in Nanjing were full.

The hostel is right in the middle of everything, with good restaurants, historical spots and local transport nearby. I met an artist called 'Mo' who was opening a studio/coffee shop in the same building. The entrance is on the river side, and it's definitely worth a visit. The bar and shared area were freaking cool, with a big balcony overlooking the river and historic district. It'd be a great place to hang out with a group. There was live music the nights I stayed in December 2018, though it went on until around 1:30am and made it hard for another guest to sleep. The dorm was cleaned often. Some paint or something was coming off the ceiling, but I was on the lower bunk and it didn't land on me. At night, though, there was a disconcerting 'plap, plap.... Plap' sound. My room looked out over the river. I paid 45 Yuan a night for the dorm, without a reservation. It was off season, so it might be busier in spring, summer or fall, basically any time that isn't cold. I paid for my last night but didn't stay, and the receptionist gave me 20 Yuan back. I rated it a 3, but if they fix the ceiling I'd give it a 4.

A great spot for more than just sleeping. You can have a drink while taking in phenomenal views of the Qinhuai river and traditional Chinese housing. There are lots of locals to chat with and learn about China. It's in an outstanding cultural location.

Nice area) The roof was my favorite, especially the pets there, the puddle puppy and rabbit.