Xian Qixian 7 Sages Youth Hostel

The hostel grounds and exterior looked amazing, and I imagine it must be great in summer, but don't go in winter. Our room was tiny and very cold, the toilets were extremely dirty, and the smell was unbearable. The showers were outside, and we had to wash out there in minus 5 degrees Celsius. We got really sick during our stay. They don't arrange tours for English-speaking visitors, only tours with Chinese guides. The staff's limited English also made communication very difficult.

The garden inside the hostel gate looked incredible, and the place is right in the city center. The room was clean and well equipped. The hostel restaurant served some of the best food we ate in China: fresh, tasty, and generous portions. Breakfast cost 30 yuan, and dinner dishes were 26-36 yuan. A great place to stay!

We had a fantastic stay in a whole room for four, with two double beds. The Chinese-style courtyard atmosphere was excellent, and the receptionists were really helpful and nice. The one drawback was that it took 20 minutes to get to the city center.

This is a nice Chinese-style hostel at a friendly price, though the staff were just okay. The private single room was clean and fine for three nights, with a comfortable bed and an in-room toilet and shower with hot water. I paid 480 rmb through a third-party hotel website. The architecture was lovely. Getting around on foot was convenient: 15 minutes to Xi’an train station, where bus 5 (306) goes to the Terracotta warriors for 7 rmb; 10 minutes to the North Gate for the City Walls, with a 54rmb entrance fee; and 10 minutes to Beidajie subway station (Beidajie Station). There are lots of little shops five minutes away, including a 24-hour convenience store on the same street. A few things were disappointing. The wifi only worked in the public area, not in the room. Breakfast was 45 rmb for a nearly empty plate with beans, one sausage, and bread, so I wouldn't recommend it. Also, on two nights I returned at 2AM and the night staff were grumpy and angry that I'd woken them. I was told to get back before 12AM.