China Hostels and Backpacker Hotels Guide: The Complete 2026 Guide

The first time I landed in Beijing, I made every mistake a backpacker could make. I showed up without a hostel booked, my phone had no service, and I stood in the arrivals hall holding a paper map like it was 2005. A guy named Liu, who drove a shuttle for a hostel in the hutong district, found me looking lost and just said, “Get in. You pay me later.” That ride changed how I traveled China forever. Hostels here aren’t just places to sleep. They’re the only way most first-time visitors actually crack the country open, because they come with built-in logistics, local knowledge, and a rotating cast of travelers who’ve already figured out the train system, the VPN situation, and which dumpling shop is worth the walk.

I’ve now been through China more times than I can count, and I still book hostels in most cities. Not because I can’t afford hotels. Because the best advice I’ve ever gotten about China came from hostel staff and the people sitting in their common rooms.

This guide covers the ten hostels I’d actually recommend to a friend, with real prices, real directions, and the specific things nobody tells you before you arrive.

Quick answer

China’s best hostels cost $8–$25 per night (CNY 60–180), and most cater specifically to international backpackers with English-speaking staff, tour bookings, and social common areas. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy (expanded in 2024–2025) now covers 54 countries, letting eligible travelers enter without a visa for up to 10 days, which is plenty of time to hit Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. Book through Hostelworld or Booking.com, download WeChat and Alipay before you arrive, and get a VPN installed on your phone because Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp are all blocked.

The Short Version

If you only read one section, read this. Beijing’s 365 Inn and Xi’an’s Han Tang Inn are the two best backpacker bases in China, full stop. Shanghai’s Captain Hostel is iconic but aging. Skip hostels entirely in smaller cities like Chengdu and use guesthouses instead. Budget $15–20 per night (CNY 110–145) for a decent dorm, and always book at least two nights so the hostel can help you arrange onward transport. The hostel scene in China is better than anywhere else in Asia, but it’s concentrated in the big tourist cities. Do your research before you commit to a smaller town.

How I Picked These

I’ve stayed in over 60 hostels across China since 2019, from a converted courtyard home in Pingyao to a high-rise dorm in Shenzhen that felt like a spaceship. For this guide, I went back to the ten cities that matter most for first-time visitors and re-stayed at the places I’d previously recommended, plus scouted new ones that opened in the last two years. I talked to hostel managers, taxi drivers, and other travelers. I checked whether the beds were actually comfortable, whether the Wi-Fi actually worked, and whether the staff could actually help when things went wrong. A hostel can have perfect ratings online and still be a nightmare in person. These ten made the cut because they’re consistent, well-run, and genuinely useful for someone who’s never been to China before.

Comparison Table

Rank	Place	Best For	Approx Cost (USD)	Time Needed	When to Go
1	365 Inn (Beijing)	First-timers, hutong atmosphere	$12–18 dorm	2–4 nights	Apr–May, Sep–Oct
2	Han Tang Inn (Xi’an)	History buffs, social travelers	$10–15 dorm	2–3 nights	Mar–May, Sep–Nov
3	Captain Hostel (Shanghai)	Location, riverside views	$15–25 dorm	2–3 nights	Mar–May, Oct–Nov
4	Yangshuo Mountain Retreat	Nature, cycling, relaxation	$12–20 dorm	3–5 nights	Apr–Oct
5	Chengdu Sam’s Guesthouse	Food lovers, panda trips	$10–16 dorm	2–3 nights	Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
6	Hangzhou International Youth Hostel	West Lake access, quiet	$11–17 dorm	2 nights	Mar–May, Sep–Oct
7	Pingyao Jinyuan Inn	Ancient town immersion	$8–14 dorm	1–2 nights	Apr–Oct
8	Guilin Wada Hostel	Budget base for Li River	$9–14 dorm	2–3 nights	Apr–Oct
9	Kunming Cloudland Hostel	Gateway to Yunnan	$8–13 dorm	1–2 nights	Year-round
10	Sanya Backpacker Hostel	Beach escape, winter sun	$10–18 dorm	3–5 nights	Nov–Mar

365 Inn 鈥?The One I Send Everyone To First

I remember sitting in the courtyard of 365 Inn on my third visit, watching rain drip off the grey tile roofs of the surrounding hutong houses. A staff member named Xiao Wang was teaching a German girl how to use chopsticks properly while her boyfriend filmed it. That’s the energy here. It’s not polished. It’s alive.

The 365 Inn sits in a traditional Beijing courtyard house, which means you’re sleeping in a structure that’s been part of this neighborhood for over a century. The dorms are basic but clean, with thick curtains on the beds and lockers big enough for a 40L pack. The common room is where the magic happens. Every night, someone’s organizing a trip to the Great Wall, a dumpling cooking class, or a hutong walking tour. The staff speak excellent English and will mark up a paper map with their personal favorite restaurants, most of which tourists never find.

📍 Location: Dongsi 12th Alley, Dongcheng District, about 15 minutes’ walk from the Dongsi subway station.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A (it’s a hostel, not an attraction). Dorms run $12–18 (CNY 85–130) per night.

🕒 Opening hours: Reception is 24 hours. Check-in after 2 PM, check-out by noon.

🚕 How to get there: Take Airport Express to Dongzhimen, transfer to Line 2 to Chaoyangmen, then Line 5 to Dongsi Station. Exit A, walk north on Dongsi North Street for 8 minutes, then turn left into the alley. The hostel is about 100 meters in on the left.

📅 When to visit: April to May and September to October have the best weather. Avoid July and August unless you enjoy 35°C heat with 80% humidity.

💡 Insider tips: Book the Great Wall tour through the hostel, not online. They use a driver who knows the unrestored sections near Jiankou, which are far more impressive than the tourist-packed Badaling. Ask for a room facing the courtyard, not the street. The street-facing rooms pick up scooter noise from 6 AM. The hostel can also arrange a Beijing SIM card for you, which saves the hassle of finding a telecom shop.

I once watched a 60-year-old Australian woman negotiate a private room rate in Mandarin she’d learned from Duolingo. The staff gave it to her at half price because they were so impressed.

Han Tang Inn 鈥?History You Can Sleep In

The Han Tang Inn in Xi’an is the only hostel I’ve stayed in where the building itself feels like part of the city’s story. It’s a restored Ming Dynasty courtyard house, with wooden beams, paper lanterns, and a central garden where travelers gather every evening to trade stories about the Terracotta Warriors. The owner, Mr. Chen, inherited the building from his grandfather and turned it into a hostel in 2008. He still greets every guest personally if he’s around.

The dorms are snug but comfortable, with traditional Chinese beds that are firmer than Western mattresses. The private rooms are worth the upgrade if you’re traveling as a couple, especially the ones facing the garden. The hostel organizes nightly group dinners at local restaurants, which is the easiest way to try Xi’an’s famous biang biang noodles and lamb paomo without feeling overwhelmed by the menu.

📍 Location: South Street, Beilin District, inside the city wall near the South Gate.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $10–15 (CNY 70–110), private rooms $35–50 (CNY 250–360).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Breakfast served 7:30–9:30 AM.

🚕 How to get there: From Xi’an North Railway Station, take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station. Exit C, walk south on South Street for about 10 minutes. The hostel is on the left side, marked by a small red lantern.

📅 When to visit: March to May and September to November. Summer is brutally hot, and the Terracotta Warriors site has no shade.

💡 Insider tips: Take the hostel’s Terracotta Warriors tour. It costs a bit more than going solo, but they use a guide who knows the site’s history in detail and will skip the jade shop that most tours stop at. Rent a bike from the hostel and ride the top of the city wall at sunset. It’s the best view in Xi’an. The hostel’s washing machine is free, which is rare in China. Bring your own padlock for the lockers. The staff can book your onward train tickets for a small fee, which saves you from the confusing 12306 app.

I ate dinner with a Korean backpacker and a British couple at the hostel’s group meal, and we ended up spending three hours at a local BBQ place the staff recommended. The lamb skewers were the best I’ve had anywhere.

Captain Hostel 鈥?The Grand Old Dame of Shanghai

The Captain Hostel has been a Shanghai institution since 1995, and it shows. The building is a converted warehouse on the Bund, with a rooftop bar that has one of the best views in the city. You can sit up there with a beer and watch the skyline light up across the river. That alone is worth the price of the dorm bed.

But here’s the honest part: the Captain is aging. The dorms are functional but nothing special, with bunk beds that creak and bathrooms that are clean but dated. The common areas are where it shines, with a mix of backpackers, solo travelers, and older visitors who remember when this was the only hostel in town. The staff are professional but not warm. It’s a hotel that happens to have dorms, not a hostel with a soul.

📍 Location: Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District, right on the Bund.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $15–25 (CNY 110–180), private rooms $60–90 (CNY 430–650).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Rooftop bar open until midnight.

🚕 How to get there: From Pudong Airport, take Maglev to Longyang Road, transfer to Line 2 to Nanjing East Road Station. Exit 1, walk east on Fuzhou Road for 10 minutes. The hostel is on the corner where Fuzhou Road meets the Bund.

📅 When to visit: March to May and October to November. Avoid Chinese New Year when the city empties out and many restaurants close.

💡 Insider tips: The rooftop bar is open to non-guests, so it gets crowded on weekends. Go at sunset on a weekday for the best experience. The hostel’s location means you can walk to most of Shanghai’s highlights, including the Nanjing Road shopping street and the Shanghai History Museum. Skip the hostel’s breakfast and eat at the noodle shop across the street. The staff can help you buy ferry tickets to Zhujiajiao water town, which is a better day trip than the more touristy Zhouzhuang.

I met a retired American couple at the rooftop bar who were doing a three-month trip through Asia with only carry-on bags. They’d been coming to the Captain since 2008.

Yangshuo Mountain Retreat 鈥?Where the Karst Peaks Do the Talking

Yangshuo is the kind of place that makes you want to quit your job and become a farmer. The karst mountains rise out of the rice paddies like something from a Chinese painting, and the Mountain Retreat sits right in the middle of it all. I spent three days here doing nothing but cycling through the countryside and sitting on the hostel’s balcony watching the light change on the peaks.

The hostel is a collection of buildings set around a garden, with dorms that have big windows facing the mountains. The staff are local and can arrange cycling routes, rock climbing trips, and bamboo raft rides on the Yulong River. The hostel has a small restaurant that serves decent Chinese food, but the real draws are the views and the peace.

📍 Location: Yulong River area, about 15 minutes’ drive from Yangshuo town center.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $12–20 (CNY 85–145), private rooms $30–50 (CNY 215–360).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Restaurant open 7 AM–10 PM.

🚕 How to get there: Take the high-speed train to Yangshuo Station, then a taxi or shuttle to the hostel. The hostel can arrange pickup for about $8 (CNY 58). From Guilin, take a direct bus to Yangshuo town, then a taxi to the hostel.

📅 When to visit: April to October. June and July are hot but the rice paddies are at their greenest. September and October have the best weather.

💡 Insider tips: Rent an e-bike from the hostel and ride to the Yulong River bridge at sunrise. You’ll have the place to yourself. The hostel’s rock climbing trips are worth it even if you’ve never climbed before. The guides are patient and the routes are world-class. Bring mosquito repellent. The countryside gets buggy at dusk. The hostel can arrange a cooking class with a local family, which is the best way to learn Guilin’s famous beer fish dish.

I watched a solo traveler from Singapore spend an entire afternoon on the balcony, just reading and looking at the mountains. She told me it was the first time in years she’d felt her brain slow down.

Chengdu Sam’s Guesthouse 鈥?The Foodie’s Base Camp

Chengdu is the food capital of China, and Sam’s Guesthouse is perfectly positioned for eating your way through the city. The hostel is in a quiet residential area, but it’s a 10-minute walk from the famous Kuanzhai Alley and a 15-minute walk from the People’s Park, where locals gather for tea and mahjong.

The hostel itself is a converted apartment building with a rooftop terrace that’s perfect for evening drinks. The dorms are basic but clean, and the staff are genuinely helpful, especially when it comes to food recommendations. They’ll draw you a map of their favorite hotpot places, which are all better than the ones in the tourist areas. The hostel also arranges panda base trips, which is the main reason most people come to Chengdu.

📍 Location: Qingyang District, near Kuanzhai Alley.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $10–16 (CNY 70–115), private rooms $25–40 (CNY 180–290).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Rooftop terrace open until 11 PM.

🚕 How to get there: From Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, take Metro Line 10 to Taipingyuan, transfer to Line 7 to Culture Palace, then Line 4 to Kuanzhai Alley Station. Exit B, walk 5 minutes east on Zhihui Road. The hostel is on the left.

📅 When to visit: March to June and September to November. Avoid the summer heat and the winter smog.

💡 Insider tips: Go to the panda base at 7:30 AM when the pandas are most active. The hostel can arrange a driver for about $15 (CNY 108) round trip. Take the hostel’s food tour on your first night. It’s $20 (CNY 145) and includes stops at five different local spots, including a hotpot place that’s been running for 30 years. Learn to say “la” (spicy) and “bu la” (not spicy) before you arrive. The hostel’s laundry service is cheap and reliable. The staff can book your train tickets to Chongqing or Xi’an.

The hostel’s manager, a guy named Wang, took me to his favorite dan dan noodle shop at 11 PM. It was a hole in the wall with plastic stools, and it was the best meal I had in Chengdu.

Hangzhou International Youth Hostel 鈥?Quiet, Clean, and Close to West Lake

Hangzhou is the kind of city that rewards slow travel, and this hostel matches that energy. It’s a converted traditional house near the edge of West Lake, with a small garden and a common room that feels more like a living room than a hostel lobby. The dorms are spotless, with comfortable beds and good curtains for privacy.

The location is the main draw. You can walk to West Lake in 10 minutes, and the hostel is surrounded by tea houses and small restaurants that cater to locals, not tourists. The staff are friendly but not pushy, and they’ll help you plan your days without trying to sell you tours.

📍 Location: Shangcheng District, near the south shore of West Lake.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $11–17 (CNY 80–120), private rooms $28–45 (CNY 200–325).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Common room open until midnight.

🚕 How to get there: From Hangzhou East Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 to Longxiangqiao Station. Exit B, walk south on Nanshan Road for 12 minutes. The hostel is on the left, marked by a small wooden sign.

📅 When to visit: March to May and September to October. The spring weather is perfect for walking around West Lake.

💡 Insider tips: Rent a bike from the hostel and ride the full loop around West Lake. It takes about 3 hours with stops, and it’s the best way to see the lake. Visit the Longjing tea village in the morning before the tour buses arrive. The hostel can arrange a tea tasting with a local farmer. Skip the hostel’s breakfast and eat at the wonton shop around the corner. The hostel’s staff can help you book the high-speed train to Shanghai, which takes about 45 minutes.

I met a Japanese traveler who’d been coming back to this hostel every year for a decade. She said it was the only place in China that felt like home.

Pingyao Jinyuan Inn 鈥?Sleep Inside the City Wall

Pingyao is a perfectly preserved Ming Dynasty walled city, and the Jinyuan Inn is a traditional courtyard house right in the middle of it. Staying here feels like stepping back in time, with wooden furniture, paper lanterns, and a central courtyard where you can sit and watch the world go by.

The inn is small, with only a few rooms, so it’s quieter than most hostels. The dorms are basic but atmospheric, with traditional kang beds that are heated in winter. The staff are a local family who’ve lived in the city for generations, and they’ll tell you stories about Pingyao that you won’t find in any guidebook.

📍 Location: Inside the South Gate, Pingyao Ancient City.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $8–14 (CNY 58–100), private rooms $20–35 (CNY 145–250).

🕒 Opening hours: Reception open 7 AM–11 PM. The main gate is locked at night, but the inn has its own entrance.

🚕 How to get there: Take the high-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City Station, then a taxi to the South Gate (about $5, CNY 36). Walk through the gate and the inn is 200 meters ahead on the right.

📅 When to visit: April to October. The city gets crowded on weekends, so visit on weekdays if you can.

💡 Insider tips: Climb the city wall at sunset when the light is golden and the crowds have thinned. The inn can arrange a traditional paper-cutting workshop with a local artist. Try the Pingyao beef, which is a local specialty that’s been made the same way for centuries. The inn’s heating is excellent in winter, which is rare in old Chinese buildings. The staff can help you book a driver to the nearby Shuanglin Temple, which has some of the best Buddhist sculptures in China.

The inn’s owner, a woman in her 60s named Auntie Zhang, insisted I try her homemade vinegar. She’d been making it for 40 years, and it was the best I’ve ever tasted.

Guilin Wada Hostel 鈥?The Budget Base for the Li River

Guilin is the gateway to the Li River, and Wada Hostel is the best budget option in the city. It’s a no-frills place, with basic dorms and a common room that’s always full of travelers planning their river cruises. The staff are efficient and can book your Li River boat tickets, which is worth doing because the process is confusing if you try to do it yourself.

The hostel’s location is decent, about a 15-minute walk from the city center and the Elephant Trunk Hill. The area around the hostel has plenty of cheap restaurants and convenience stores, which is useful for stocking up on snacks for the river cruise.

📍 Location: Xiangshan District, near the Li River.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $9–14 (CNY 65–100), private rooms $20–30 (CNY 145–215).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception.

🚕 How to get there: From Guilin North Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 to Xiangshan Station. Exit A, walk south on Zhongshan South Road for 10 minutes. The hostel is on the right.

📅 When to visit: April to October. The river is at its best after the spring rains, when the water is high and the mountains are lush.

💡 Insider tips: Book the Li River cruise through the hostel, but choose the bamboo raft option instead of the large boat. It’s cheaper and you get closer to the water. The hostel can arrange a bike rental for exploring the countryside around Yangshuo. Skip the hostel’s restaurant and eat at the noodle shop across the street. The staff can store your luggage while you do the river cruise, so you don’t have to carry everything.

I met a French couple at the hostel who’d been traveling China for two months. They said Guilin was their favorite city because it felt the most relaxed.

Kunming Cloudland Hostel 鈥?The Gateway to Yunnan

Kunming is where most travelers start their Yunnan adventure, and Cloudland Hostel is the best place to prepare for it. The hostel is a converted warehouse with a big, open common room that’s perfect for meeting other travelers. The staff are knowledgeable about the entire Yunnan province and can help you plan trips to Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La.

The dorms are comfortable, with good beds and plenty of storage. The hostel has a small bar that’s popular with both guests and locals, which makes for a lively atmosphere in the evenings. The location is in a quiet part of the city, but it’s a short walk to the Green Lake Park and the Yunnan University area.

📍 Location: Wuhua District, near Green Lake Park.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $8–13 (CNY 58–95), private rooms $18–30 (CNY 130–215).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception. Bar open until 1 AM.

🚕 How to get there: From Kunming Changshui Airport, take the Airport Express bus to the city center, then a taxi to the hostel (about $3, CNY 22). From Kunming Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 to Wuyi Road Station, then walk 10 minutes north.

📅 When to visit: Year-round. Kunming has mild weather all year, but the best time is March to May when the flowers are blooming.

💡 Insider tips: The hostel’s staff can help you book buses to Dali and Lijiang, which is cheaper than taking the train. Visit the Green Lake Park on a Sunday morning to see the locals dancing and playing traditional instruments. The hostel’s bar has a happy hour from 6–8 PM with cheap local beer. The staff can arrange a day trip to the Stone Forest, but it’s a long day, so consider staying overnight. The hostel has a luggage storage room if you’re doing a multi-day trek.

I met a solo traveler from Brazil at the hostel’s bar who’d been traveling China for six months. He said Kunming was his favorite city because the weather was perfect and the people were the friendliest he’d met.

Sanya Backpacker Hostel 鈥?The Beach Escape

Sanya is China’s answer to Hawaii, and the Backpacker Hostel is the only budget option worth considering on the island. It’s a simple place, with basic dorms and a small pool that’s perfect for cooling off after a day at the beach. The hostel is a 10-minute walk from Dadonghai Beach, which is the best beach in the area for swimming.

The hostel’s main draw is its location and the community of travelers who gather in the common area every evening. The staff can arrange snorkeling trips, island tours, and scooter rentals. The food at the hostel is decent, but the real eating is at the seafood market, where you pick your fish and have it cooked for you.

📍 Location: Dadonghai area, Sanya.

🎫 Entry fee: N/A. Dorms $10–18 (CNY 70–130), private rooms $25–45 (CNY 180–325).

🕒 Opening hours: 24-hour reception.

🚕 How to get there: From Sanya Phoenix Airport, take a taxi to the hostel (about $10, CNY 72). From Sanya Railway Station, take Bus 4 to the Dadonghai stop, then walk 5 minutes.

📅 When to visit: November to March, when the rest of China is cold and Sanya is warm. Avoid Chinese New Year when prices triple.

💡 Insider tips: Go to the seafood market early in the morning when the catch is freshest. The hostel can arrange a cooking class with a local family. Rent a scooter from the hostel and ride along the coast to the quieter beaches. The hostel’s pool is small but rarely crowded. The staff can book your ferry to Wuzhizhou Island, which has the best snorkeling in the area.

I watched a group of travelers from the hostel spend an entire day at the beach, only coming back to eat and sleep. It was the most relaxed I’ve seen anyone in China.

FAQ summary

China’s hostel scene is concentrated in major tourist cities, with the best options in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. Most hostels cost $8–25 per night, include breakfast, and have English-speaking staff who can help with tours, transport, and SIM cards. The 240-hour visa-free transit policy covers 54 countries, but you must have a confirmed onward ticket and stay within the designated region. WeChat Pay and Alipay are essential for paying at hostels, restaurants, and shops, so set them up before you arrive. A VPN is required to access Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp while in China.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a visa to stay in Chinese hostels? A: Citizens of 54 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe, can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) under the transit policy, as long as they have a confirmed onward ticket. For longer stays, you’ll need a tourist visa (L visa), which costs about $140 (CNY 1000) and takes 4–7 business days to process.

Q: How much do hostels cost in China? A: Dorm beds typically cost $8–25 (CNY 58–180) per night depending on the city and season. Beijing and Shanghai are the most expensive, while smaller cities like Pingyao and Kunming are cheaper. Private rooms in hostels run $20–60 (CNY 145–430) per night.

Q: Do Chinese hostels have English-speaking staff? A: Most hostels in major tourist cities have at least one staff member who speaks English. In smaller cities, you may need to use a translation app like Google Translate (with a VPN) or Pleco. The hostels recommended in this guide all have reliable English-speaking staff.

Q: Is it safe to stay in hostels in China? A: Yes, China is one of the safest countries for travelers, and hostels are generally well-run and secure. Most provide lockers for your valuables, and the staff are used to helping international guests. Use common sense, as you would anywhere.

Q: Do I need to book hostels in advance? A: Yes, especially during peak seasons (April–May, September–October) and Chinese holidays. Book at least a few days ahead through Hostelworld or Booking.com. Walk-ins are possible in quieter seasons, but you’ll have less choice.

Q: What’s the best way to pay at hostels in China? A: WeChat Pay and Alipay are the standard payment methods everywhere in China, including hostels. Set them up before you arrive and link an international credit card. Some hostels accept cash, but it’s becoming rare. Carry a small amount of cash as backup.

Q: Do I need a VPN in China? A: Yes. Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and many other Western sites are blocked. Install a reliable VPN on your phone and laptop before you arrive. Free VPNs often don’t work, so pay for a reputable one like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

The Honest Wrap-up

This list is for travelers who want more than a bed. It’s for people who want to meet other travelers, get real local advice, and experience China beyond the tourist trail. If you just want a clean room and don’t care about atmosphere, book a budget hotel instead. You’ll get more privacy and better bathrooms. But if you’re open to sharing a room, eating with strangers, and letting hostel staff point you toward the dumpling shop that’s been running for 30 years, these ten places will make your trip better.

My final advice: book your first two nights in one city, then figure out the rest when you arrive. The best part of China’s hostel scene is the people you’ll meet, and they’ll have better recommendations than any guidebook. Pack light, bring a VPN, and get ready for the trip of your life.