GGuest UserIt's 2 AM, and I can't sleep after writing this review in the courtyard, so I just got up and sat here. The night in Liuxing Street is so quiet, with only occasional dog barks and distant lights. The moon hangs above the apple tree.
I've stayed at this hostel for three days and will be leaving tomorrow. There are some things I want to write down before I forget.
First, let's talk about hygiene. I have a peculiar habit: the first thing I do when entering a room is to feel the tabletop and windowsill. And truly, it was spotless. The floor is wood-grain tile, and walking barefoot on it felt perfectly clean. The bedding was freshly changed and smelled warm, like it had been sun-dried. There wasn't a single hair on the public restroom floor, and the trash cans weren't emptied only when overflowing. What touched me most was that the cups in the wash area were placed upside down in a sterilizer cabinet, for guests to use. Yes, a sterilizer cabinet.
Location: It's in an alley in Liuxing Street, but very easy to find. Turn right out of the door, and a small alley leads directly to the main street. To the left is an old residential area, perfect for aimless wandering. It's about seven or eight minutes' walk to the Alexander Accordion Museum and also to the famous ice cream shop. If you, like me, enjoy walking and exploring small alleys, this place is a paradise. There are three bus stops nearby, making it convenient to go to Kaxgar and Hanren Street.
Service: The front desk staff was a girl with a ponytail, and her voice was soft. It was drizzling when I arrived on the first day, and she handed me a dry towel to wipe my hair. When I came back late at night, I found a message on the small blackboard at the entrance: 'There's yogurt in the fridge, help yourself.' I thought it was for a fee, but when I asked the next day, she smiled and said, 'It's free, we worry you might get overheated in this weather.' When I left, I forgot my power bank, and she chased me down two alleys.
Facilities: The beds are incredibly stable; the bunk beds don't wobble. Each bunk has a curtain, a light, two power outlets, and a small shelf, perfect for a phone and glasses. The common area has a water dispenser (with both hot and cold water), a microwave, a refrigerator, and a toaster. There's also a washing machine that can be used by scanning a QR code. The most pleasant surprise was a small bookshelf with not many books, but a few picture books about Ali, which made me want to visit Mount Kailash as I flipped through them.
Atmosphere: Unlike some hostels that deliberately force social interaction, the atmosphere here is very natural. In the evening, someone played the Dombra in the courtyard, while others just listened quietly. There was an older gentleman who had just returned from a pilgrimage, his feet still swollen, sitting on the steps drinking sweet tea, and no one disturbed him. Occasionally, people would strike up a conversation, also in soft voices.
I'm sitting in the courtyard now, and the evening breeze is a little cool. The moon is bright, and I can see the shadows of the clouds.
I'll probably feel a bit reluctant to leave tomorrow.
But it's okay; I know I'll be back.
The night of Liuxing Street, the dream of Mount Kailash, and the gentleness of this little courtyard all remind me why I'm always on the road.
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