CHINA WITH KIDS: HELLO CHENGDU – THE BEST HOSTEL IN TOWN

We’ve found the best hostel in Chengdu and possibly the world – and it doesn’t even feel like a hostel, it feels like a lovely guesthouse and we’re having such a nice time here. It’s so great that we’ve had plenty of relaxed downtime, have booked a couple of fabulous trips with them – to the Chengdu Panda Research Base and Jiuzhaigou and both of us are really enjoying our stay.

It’s called the Hello Chengdu Hostel and it’s on the first ring road with easy bus access to the city centre and surrounded by little shops, restaurants, a shopping mall and cinema and convenience stores. But as it is back from the road it is quiet and peaceful, with beautiful gardens, ponds with fish and turtles, friendly staff and lots for kids to do – perfect for families traveling in China.

 

Here’s what we love about Hello Chengdu Hostel:

Super family friendly.
The staff are so lovely and welcomed Emmie as soon as we arrived and within few minutes she was cuddling and combing their bunny, Karla, and sitting behind the desk drawing pictures of pandas with the girls. The staff is mostly young women who are so sweet and caring but also very efficient and knowledgable. Nothing has been a problem for them and they’re always smiling and helpful.

The common area toilets have kids size basins and toilets and both sit and squat adult sized toilets. The hostel is very safe as there is one exit that is manned by a gatekeeper  – with the gate closing at 11pm – and there are lots of lovely little areas for kids to play and explore.

 

So much space – and so pretty
There are many many common areas – indoor and out, with little gardens, waterfalls and ponds, a huge rooftop area with chairs and tables, an indoor cafe – where we are right now and Em is watching a movie- they have hundreds of kids movies and let Em watch them whenever she wants to.

The reception area has lounges and tables and outside are more chairs and tables and a little rock garden and pond. There are so many little decorated nooks and crannies and private little rooms that you don’t feel crowded and can have really peaceful time in a lovely setting with plants, flowers and water.

Rooms
We’re in a single room (we share the double bed) with aircon, bathroom and towels that is cleaned every two days and costs 120 yuan per night. There’s a desk and chair and there’s ample room for us to move around. But we are hardly in the room – in some hostels there’s not been enough space or it’s been too hot to sit in sweaty common rooms but it’s so lovely here we’ve only been in the room to sleep.

It’s quiet, cool and the beds are a little harder than we’re used to at home but still comfy. There are five floors (which are open and light) and a lift – such a relief when you have a huge backpack to lug around like me.

 

Things to do
As well as the movies in the cafe there are movie nights on the big screen in the main outdoor area, ping pong, snooker and foosball and a friendly bunny, cat and little dog. There’s another TV in the reception sitting area where the Europeans watch their football and sports! Sitting around chatting with other travellers is always lots of fun and there’s lots of places to sit and talk or work on your laptop or instagram! And just down the road is the bus stop for the Number 1 bus that will take you right into the city centre.

 

Tours and help
They also offer awesome tours that makes it that little bit easier- and cheaper – to get around Chengdu and Sichuan. We took the Panda tour – which was basically transport and tickets for only 108 yuan per person (Em was free) and an organised trip to Huanglong and Jiuzhaiguo for 850 yuan for me and 380 for Em. They offer lots of tours and area so knowledgable and helpful it’s definitely worth talking to them about what amazing trips you can do. As we’ve learned there is so much more to China than what we expected and so make sure to see as much as Sichuan as you can from this little base.

 

Wen at the tour desk has been such an awesome help to use, not only organising our trips but booking our next train ticket and our hostel – and getting us a discount!

Laundry
You can send your washing out or do it at the hostel for 15 yuan (about $3AUD)

Food, supplies and wifi
The restaurant makes delicious spicy traditional Sichuan food and western meals like bacon and eggs and hamburgers and chips so Emmie and I are both happy.

You can buy drinks and beers and there’s a selection of toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes as well as postcards and souvenir t-shirts. They also have a book exchange and bike hire and the wifi is everywhere including in the rooms and is super fast.

 

The vibe
Most importantly – it’s all about the vibe! the way a hostel feels and how its staff make us feel welcome plays are huge part in how happy we are and at this hostel everyone is happy and enjoying themselves because it’s just so lovely and everyone feels happy and at home – it’s true that your vibe attracts your tribe. Super good vibes at Hello Chengdu!

Special love from us to Georgina, Ling and Wen who have been just like a little family to us and made us feel so welcome and have been so friendly and lovely with Em – playing games with her, giving her hugs and making her feel so at home.

Details
Hello Chengdu International Youth Hostel
Tel:(028)83355322 / (0)13330965557, Fax:++86 (0)28 83355322
Address:No.211 North Section 4, First Ring Rd., Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610081
Email: hellochengduhostel@hotmail.com

Directions in Chinese
一环路北四段211号，普瑞眼科医院旁边老宋青年旅舍