Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I would definitely recommend Downtown Backpackers. I think they're very popular and it would be wise to book ahead.
Cheers!

2

For what it's worth, we are just passing through Beijing for a few days this first time soon, so booked Novotel and paid credit card online using their website. Price seemed very reasonable when converted to Oz dollars. Now tossing up whether to try taxi/bus fom airport (usually prefer public transport) or pay the high price and use an airport/hotel transfer company- maybe just a lot easier after a long flight. Have a good trip.

3

C: I loved my stay at Lan Lan Guest House, aka Templeside House Hostel II, in early May. They offer private rooms with baths as well as dorms. Bobby, the owner, operates another courtyard hostel in the same general area, Templeside House Hostel I, but I don't believe it offers ensuites.

It's about an 8 - 10 minute walk from the Fucheng Men metro stop just inside the second ring road in the hutongs surrounding the Miaoying Temple. In fact, you can see the white dagoba from Lan Lan's roof top deck.

The staff were excellent: cheerful and informative. Not all of them were fluent in English, but I never had a problem finding an English speaker to help me.

I did book ahead in advance, by contacting Bobby directly through the e-mail listed on the web site. I find contacting a place by e-mail can be good way to suss out the level of English service available.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or would like to see some pictures.

Susan

Susan

4

Thanks folks, as ever great advice and very interesting.

5

I stayed at the Harmony Hotel in Beijing; No. 59, Suzhou Hutong, Youtong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, 100005 and liked it. Very close to subway, two stops from Forbidden City etc. Cheaper and shabbier than Novotel, but clean and nice!

6

Actually I'm the same age and situation as you and if I can do it, anyone can.
You'll have a great time, but it'll be tremendously hot and humid and you won't see much due to the permanant heat haze.
I had no trouble finding somewhere ensuite and decent enough anywhere in China, in August, just by turning up on the day with my guidebook and a lot of smiling and pointing. Main trouble after heat haze (and toilets) was difficulty in getting sleeper trains. They book up quickly.

7

I would stay at a hostel for the fun of it. I'm in my early 40's as well and if you think it's just for kids, think again. I stayed at the Far East and at least two other people I hung out with were in their 40's. But the group I hung out in had people from 19 - 50's. It's fun. The Far East is more hotel like than hostel like. Perfectly fine. You have to hang out at the courtyard if you want to meet people. Don't be shy. The last night I was there everyone I knew left so I just asked to sit with this other guy sitting alone. Then someone else asked to join us and before you know it, there were 10 people clustered around the table.

I've also spent a little while hanging out at the Jade with someone staying there. Same basic deal but the Jade is nicer and they have a really nice TV room. It's more expensive by a little bit.

I prefer the Far East since it's in a hutong so you get a slice of the traditional Chinese life.

8

Leo's is in a good location, but the double rooms aren't that great. Most face onto an inner, enclosed courtyard which is very echoey, and there is no sound insulation at all. The people sitting outside my room playing games and drinking, might as well have been IN my room.

Kashgar lies where the maps in people's minds dissolve.