Dragon Town International Youth Hostel

The Hostel is in a very traditional Sichuan styled courtyard house, in the downtown of Chengdu. The place is a work of art and very well designed. However, I would only recommend visiting in the summer as the common area in the centre of the hostel is open to the elements and can get very cold in Winter. The restaurant within the hostel is very expensive so make sure you eat elsewhere.

We seem to stay in places that don't make VTs hotel list, which is nice in that we can introduce some of them. The Dragontown Youth Hostel is down a back alley, and it a bit hard to find...

It was a nice place to stay, comfortable and friendly. The desk staff couldn't provide all the services they said they could- we couldn't get train or plane tickets through them, so don't rely on that... and they couldn't call us a taxi, couldn't do this or that. They got to be a bit frustrating, but they were nice about it all, and in general, I liked them and the hostel.

The rooms are nice, a bit cramped, but that's ok. The bathroom is separated from the room (at least in our room) by a full-length sheet of frosted glass with a plastic shower curtain as the bathroom door. You really need to know the person you're staying with. Hot water may take a while to kick in.

Supposedly the hostel was built in an old, courtyard style that befits picture books... so says the Lonely Planet. It's nice.. pretty, even, but I don't know what picture book it would be in.

There is a movie-watching room on the third floor, room 301, I believe. It feels like someone's livingroom, and, indeed, the bathroom has toothbrushes and so on in it. We watched a movie with no problem.

But, there is a nice outdoor balcony accessible via room 301. Our room had windows that opened onto the courtyard. Quite nice.

They have three computers for use by guests.

Unique Quality: Woodfish Restaurant- when you first exit the street for Dragontown, there's a nice restaurant that serves western food. See the "Woodfish" restaurant tip. If you need to escape back into the western world, Woodfish is it.

Across the street are more restaurants that seem to be attached to nonexistant hotels... you might try eating there, but they never approached us as if they were open for business when we stopped in.

Three images.

Highly recommended by the traveler's bible, Lonely Planet guide, this hostel is crowded to say the least. To be sure this hostel deserves its excellent reviews. There is a washing machine where for around RMB 10 backpackers can wash a mound of dirty clothes. Dorm rooms are comfortable and face a nice outdoor courtyard where the resident golden retriever gives licks for food. The hostel is located in the old part of Chengdu, where traditional Chinese buildings still line narrow cobblestone streets. Reliable internet access is free and there is an excellent backpacker cafe on the premise that serves good western food. Although a vertiable backpacker's paradise, it is also filled to the brim with backpackers! When I arrived in the afternoon, I was told there were no more beds available and the only room available was a double for RMB 200. At least it had a nice antique Chinese bed, dresser, vanity table, air conditioner, as well as an attached private bathroom. An outdoor balcony can be accessed from the bolted metal door in the back. Paradise. The only drawback is that the bath/shower is difficult to adjust--the water will either be freezing or scalding hot, making a proper shower impossible. I don't know if this problem exists with the shared bathrooms. All in all a good place to stay if you don't mind a little crowding and freezing/hot water temperatures when showering.

Unique Quality: Self-service washing machine available for around RMB 10. Special doubles have antique Chinese furniture, attached bathroom, air conditioning, and balcony. Good backpacker cafe located in back of hostel. Free internet access. Efficient reception staff. Nice courtyard. Located in traditional part of city.

Directions: From the airport, bus or train station take a taxi to Kuan Xiangzi. You will need to get off at the entrance to the cobblestone street since cars are not allowed in the old part of town.

This is the exact picture of Long Tang (Dragon Town Youth Hostel). I am doing free advertisement for them actually, why, I don't know, I think just for fun in VT. I was told these architectures on this street were 400+ years old built probably during the Mind Dynasty.

The hostel is located a little ways out from the main area, but the worth effort to reach. It's down a quiet traditional lane. There are some lively tea shops right out front. Where beer can be found for 2yuan a bottle!! The staff are friendly funny and kind.. and will help you with all your problems! All in all it felt like a home away from home and i had a wonderful experience... possibly my favourite part about Chengdu

WARNING!!!!
Do Not Order the MEXICAN PIZZA!!!!

Unique Quality: The building is a new building but it was built in a traditional style. They can arrange pick ups from train and bus stations, they have internet, a good restaurant with possibly the best coffee i had in china (and cheap!!!) There is hot water, a travel agent run by a great guy named Leonard. He got me the cheapest flight i could find in Chengdu.
You can also stay in a tent in the courtyard.. though this can be quite noisy at nights

Hey, I didn't stay here, but I heard it's okay, and only 25 Yuan a night

Unique Quality: From their promotion card:
Self service kitchen
laundry
movie hall
free swimming pool ??
reading room
antique furniture (i'd love to see this)
24 hours hot water
idd and internet
bicycle-renting
and finally, "tour all over in China"!!!