Rainbow Youth Inn (Xi'an Bell and Drum Tower City Wall branch)

The hotel felt a little overpriced for its quality, so I’m not sure it was worth the cost.

The road was under construction when we visited, which was unfortunate. Inside, the room was spacious and clean, and the furnishings were tastefully done. There are handy shared spaces, including a laundry room, dining room, and games room. The property sits in the city center within the ancient city walls, with lots of excellent restaurants nearby. The staff were very friendly and helpful, but speak almost no English, so use a translator and go ahead. I still don’t understand the Chinese preference for bathrooms with glass walls, even frosted ones. To find it on Booking.com, search Mcsrh Hotel-Xi`an Zhonggulou. On Gaode Maps (Amap), use Mcsrh Maijia Shiqu Hotel (Xi'an Bell Tower and Drum Tower Huimin Street Branch).

For $17 a night, this was a very good deal. The hotel was clean, and the rooms had decent space instead of feeling tiny.