Tips on Cheap Accommodation in China
By Cahaya Asia -
When it comes to travelling on a shoestring, the amount of money you might spend or save on accommodation becomes a serious matter. Luckily, the development of Chinese tourism has created a wide range of opportunities for the budget traveller, making it quite easy and affordable to spend a night in a comfortable, clean bed, getting your much needed rest time.
YHA, the wonder of Chinese Backpacking
My first option, everywhere and anywhere in China, is to look first for the YGA symbol, which means Youth Hostelling International. This international franchise chain is widely spread all around the major tourist destinations in China, and sometimes even a bit out of the beaten track. Generally, this kind of hostels are the Chinese equivalent of the Southeast Asian guesthouse, full of travelers, good vibes and essential travel information.
Besides this, they are generally very cheap to stay, provide free wi-fi connectivity, restaurant facilities, self-help kitchen areas, luggage storage options and very crucial help with booking train or flight tickets. You will pay a little surcharge, but believe me, it is worth the saving of time and effort.
Most likely if you are looking for a cheapie, you will end up staying in a dormitory: have no fear. YHA dormitories are usually big, equipped with your own locker, crystal clear clean, spacious and comfortable. They are also a great way to meet other travelers, and join up for tours, or legs of your trip as well.
They come in different sizes and are generally equipped with rows bunk beds: 4, 6, 8, even 10 or 12 people. And they are very cheap too, starting from 20 to 40/50 yuan per bed. So far, I only found the higher end of the spectrum (50 yuan) in Shenzen.
One of the best services provided is definitely the onward-travel hostel booking service: each one of these hostels will have many cards from hostels in the next “touristy towns”, just glance trough and pick the one you like.
Then, tell the receptionist and he/she will make a call to reserve your bed in your next destination. Generally, you will have to pay half of the fee to the hostel you are reserving from and… magic! Once you get to your destination, you will not only have a reserved bed, you’ll also only need to pay the price difference. Easy, isn’t it?
Couchsurfing in China
Couchsurfing, for those who still do not know, is an American based web-community offering travelers help and hospitality, provided by other travelers/friendly locals! Being the mammoth of a country it is, also China has a big Couchsurfing community, and this might be a great way to get deeper and closer to Chinese society.
Generally, Chinese couchsurfers are young college students, or people who want to meet foreigners for curiosity or to improve their English skills. On top of that, based on my experiences, so far the Chinese couchsurfers I met/stayed with were great hosts, caring and willing to show me around their area.
In this way, not only you will get a deeper understanding of Chinese family life and habits, but you will have the great opportunity to get in touch with some of the most outgoing and interesting Chinese people you can meet.
Couchsurfing works definitely best in the bigger cities because there would be more opportunities to find a host, but even the smaller towns sometimes have some members. So, browse carefully, get yourself a cellphone, and start texting out… you will see, making friends and get a nice place in a local home will be the highlight of your China trip!
//cnadventure.com
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