iv) ACCOMMODATION
So next after flight, we started to survey on accommodation. As there were 3 hotel/hostel we needed to reserve, we didn't booked all three on the same time. We started with Beijing first as it is a hot spot area and Chengdu was the last we booked about 1 month before our departure due to limited source of info about Chengdu, expecially from muslim traveller.
Finally below were the hotels we sucessfully booked.
i) Beijing : JADE HOSTEL at RM250 for 3nights or approx. RM83/night (Economy Room Double Bed).
Address : No.5 North Zhide Alley, Beiheyan Street, Wangfujing Street & Forbidden City, Beijing China.
For Beijing, budget hostels/hotels are quite plenty. As transportation in whole Beijing area mostly is by public transport (specifically Beijing Subway Train), we chose accommodation that is nearer with subway station and also nearby the city attractions (Tianmen Square, Forbidden City, etc).
Double bedroom. One bed for each of us!
The room was clean.
The toilet quite spacious and clean too.
TV was OK with limited channels.
Infront of the hotel.
ii) Xian : Xian Alley Youth Hostel HOSTEL at RM RM175.50 for 2 nights or approx. RM87.80/night (Twin Bed Room).
Address : No.33, Lane South West Wharf, Temple backstreet, City Midst District, Xian 710002 China.
We made booking a month after booking Beijing Hostel. So far this hostel located in a very strategic location nearby the Quarter Muslim which is a popular food street with a distinct Muslim culture. To go to nearby attractions also by foot, except to Terracota Museum which needed to take public bus. Xian also got Metro (train) and the nearest station located just about 10minutes from this Hostel. However the place located a bit further inside from the main road, in a narrow alley so cars or taxis cannot enter. Only motorcycle/motortaxi can. It's not that a big problem only if you bring heavy luggage, it is a bit hassle to drag your beg to the hostel and to the main road again when check out to get taxi/other transport. And because the hostel located in the bazaar area, it was a bit damp and not to say dirty, but a bit messy, like typical market area. Imagined there was a butchery stall just infront of our hostel. Nevertheless, it was still an interesting view as we could see local daily activities, quite happening and not difficult to get Halal foods also. This was the place where we could adventure local dishes without hesitation. The hotel indoor on the other hand was clean, lobby decoration was interesting and very welcoming. There's a snack bar in the lobby where guest can hangout. Our room was also spacious. Owh ya, elevator also wasn't available. Needs to lift our heavy luggage upstairs. Good it's just 5 floors :P
Double bedroom also. The decoration was simple yet clean and quite spacious also.
Green was the theme.
Toilet was OK.
The view outside our hostel. Like I told you... the butcher stall :P
And vegetable stall... my mom will definitely loved it!
Entrance to the Hostel.
The street. See... only motorcycles/tricycles can enter here.
iii) Chengdu : Jinli Free Time Hotel at RM105.8/night. (Twin Bed Room).
Address : 113 Wuhouci Road, Jinli Commercial Area, Chengdu, China 610041
This hotel's room was spacious, it just the condition looked like it had been vacant for a long time. The curtain and carpet were a bit old with a bit of mold on it and there was a damp smell. The reason we picked this hotel apart of the price that obviously met our budget, it was because of it's location which is located infront of main road, and also nearby Jinli Street which is a tourist spot. Mind you that most of the local cannot speak English, even the hotel staff. It’s like chicken talking to a duck. So some of the messages were not successfully delivered.
Double bedroom. Like I told you... the environment looks a bit damp and spooky. Decoration was a bit like chinese old house. Still credits for their efforts!
Toilet was a glass wall covered with bamboo curtain. So ya your partner could see your silhouette when you take a bath :P
I know it's an oriental deco... but I still couldn't stop for imaging those Chinese hopping vampire here:P
Luckily the toilet didn't have all those spooky elements... Modern and clean. So we could do our business in peace here hihihhihi....
I don’t know either it was coincidence or what, all the three hotels we stayed got problem with their water heater!! They compensated it with free breakfast instead (like we can eat pun)..!! Imagine it was winter ok... and we never skipped to bath every morning and evening. I still don't know how we could bear the cold water. And shamed on us...!! Actually all those hotels were equipped with heater, but we didn't knew that the air-conditioner also could function as a heater.. so we didn't used it. Imagine again how we could bear the winter. Everynight I almost cried due to coldness (I didn't exaggerate ok..) and wrapped my body with layers of clothes and blanket. Thanks God the hotels we stayed provided a very thick and comfort blanket!
Overall I cannot really recommended these hotels to you. But these were where I stayed along my trip in China. So far I survived! Not bad and reviews on Xian Hotel actually were quite good, but depends.... If you a fussy type, maybe it is not suitable for you. As for me since I spent most of my time outdoor, back to hotel only for refresh, rest and sleep so I’m ok. But no harm to find for any better hotel right :D
We will continue on train's ticket on next post.
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