Han Tang House

Top choice in Xi'an


A hybrid of sorts, this place has dorms and the vibe of a youth hostel but the look and feel of a three-star hotel. The smart rooms are decked out with high-quality dark-wood furnishings, slab floors and comfortable beds, but lighting is a bit gloomy. The downstairs lobby area is fun and staff are friendly and helpful.

There's also a great cafe with good western food, which converts to a fun bar with live music at night (the singing finishes early). Take bus 603 from the train station and get off at Xincheng Guangchang (新城广场), from where it's a short five-minute walk.