Xian China – Best Places to Stay in All Price Ranges

In the city of Xi’an there are over 4000 hotels ranging from the most basic small family run hotels, plenty of international hostels, some reasonably priced mid range hotels and if you require something a bit more luxurious then there are also some five star hotels to choose from, read on to discover what accommodation is right for you in Xi’an.

Budget Accommodation

There are several cheap hotels close to the train station and if you head south along Jiefang Road you can find some hotels where you will be able to get a room for about CNY100 per night. There are several international hostels inside the city walls, ideally located for the attractions and the city’s nightlife.

There are two 7 Sages Hostels in Xi’an, one is the Bell Tower Hostel on Juhuayuan East Street in Beilin District. The other is the Qixian (7 Sages) in Qixianzhuang, Beixin Street. I stayed here for a few nights on my only visit to Xi’an and cannot fault it. Double rooms cost less than CNY100 per night and there are lots of good communal areas. The hostel is made up of several one storey buildings within an enclosed courtyard. There are lots of choices of restaurants nearby and most of the attractions in the city are within walking distance.

The Travelling With Hostel is conveniently placed for the railway station and An Yuan Men metro station for travelling further afield round the city. This hostel was formerly the Xi’an Green Forest Hotel. You have a choice between dorm rooms costing around CNY40 per bed each night or en-suite double or twin rooms from CNY160 per night.

So Young City Center Hostel is located on Xiyi Road South in Xincheng district, it is just 400m from the Muslim Quarter and 1.4km from the Drum Tower and the city wall is less than 2km.

Ibis Hotel on Heping Road is a two star hotel offering good but basic facilities, they have free internet and if all you need is a place to sleep and somewhere safe to store your bags then this is a good choice at CNY199 per night for a double or twin room.

The Ludao Binguan on Xi Ba Road is a nice hotel with some dorm rooms available costing up to CNY50 per bed each night. The double and twin hotel rooms are available for less than CNY100 outside of the high season if booked online in advance.

The Shuyuan International Hostel, located at Xinanmen (South Gate) has some excellent quality dorm rooms available from under CNY50 per night per bed with up to 8 people sharing a room. Beneath the hostel is a pub and nearby a coffee house/café. The hostel and surrounding hang outs are excellent places for relaxing or surfing the internet while you decide what activity or attraction to visit next.

The Hang Tan Inn is on the 4th floor of a building down an alley (7 S Long Alley) close to the Bell Tower. Double en-suite rooms are available for CNY150 per night and beds in dorm rooms begin at CNY50. There is a bar within the hotel with TV, pool table and movies shown on a big screen. There is Wi-Fi throughout the building but it can be a problem, the hotel will supply you with an Ethernet cable if you ask, the internet works better this way. There are events planned such as dumpling parties every week and English is spoken by some of the staff.

Mid-Range Hotel Accommodation

A lot of the mid range accommodation in Xi’an includes reasonably priced apartment hotels, ideal if you do not want to eat every meal at restaurants. The Hq Guesthouse on Xihuamen Shizi is small but cozy close to the Muslim Quarter. If you book in advance they offer a free collection service from the railway stations or airport. They have one bedroom apartments for CNY300 per night.

The Citadines Central on Zhubashi Road is just a two minute walk away from the Drum Tower; it is conveniently placed for several attractions including the Muslim Quarter, the City Wall and both towers. The western style apartments are clean and spacious, complete with a kitchen and good Wi-Fi. From the rooftop garden you will have great views of the drum and bell towers. Apartments cost from CNY368 per night.

The Qindao Business Hotel on Nan Guang Ji Jie is located opposite the Parkson Shopping Centre and close to the entrance to the Muslim Quarter. There is free internet and cable TV in all rooms and a travel centre in the lobby to assist you with any tours or onward travel plans. They offer a complimentary Chinese style breakfast and have a good restaurant menu if you wish to eat there in the evening. Double rooms cost from CNY286 per night.

Nanlin International Hotel is rated as 4 stars and is in Xincheng district and just 3km from the main railway station. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV and free high-speed internet. For the best rates you should book online and expect to pay under CNY300 per night for a twin or double room.

Something a Little Unusual

If you want something a little unusual and probably only available in Xi’an, how about staying at the Warriors Apartments? They are located on Xihuamen Street and have life sized warriors in each apartment. Each apartment has 1 or 2 bedrooms and come fully equipped with everything you need including a life sized terracotta warrior.

Luxury Hotel Accommodation in Wuhan

The Grand Mercure is located on Dongxin Street, close to Renmin Square. It is a heritage hotel with 202 standard double or twin rooms and 21 suites available. It opened in 1957 and is built in the style of Russian architecture and not traditional Chinese. To stay here a standard room costs from CNY594 per night.

The Westin Xi’an is on Ci’en Road opposite the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Qujiang district. The area is full of parks, restaurants and shops, in addition to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its surrounding temple you can also visit the Museum of Free Arts which has free entry for hotel guests. There are three restaurants in the hotel, Chinese, Japanese and Western Buffet. You can then relax in the hotel’s Mix Bar with some amazing views of the local area including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Standard rooms cost from CNY860 per night.

The Sheraton Xi’an Hotel is located on Feng Hao East Road. It is ideally placed for the airport but not for touring the city and its attractions. You are about an hour away from the city centre if you choose to stay here. Standard double and twin rooms cost from CNY600 per night.

The Golden Flower Hotel is located on Changle West Road in Xincheng district. It is a very popular 5 star hotel just 5 minutes taxi ride away from the Bell Tower and the city centre attractions. This luxury hotel is equipped with large rooms with excellent views over the surrounding area. It is equipped with a swimming pool, spa, lobby bar and three restaurants. The price for a standard room in this hotel is staggeringly low at CNY342 per night.