Two new youth hostels opened on May 19 in Beijing, which should come as a great comfort to cost-conscious independent travelers and students, including foreigners, who sometimes find it difficult to find suitable and inexpensive lodgings in the city. The youth hostels are mainly open to people between the ages of 14 to 27, regardless of race, nationality, sex or religion.
Youth hostels were first introduced to China in 1998; five were opened the next year in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Nanhai and Zhaoqing. The first two were projects of the Longhua Tourism Cooperation working with the Guangdong Youth Hostel Organization.
The Beijing International Youth Hostel is located on the 10th floor of the Beijing International Hotel in the city center near the Beijing Railway Station. This site affords easy access to shopping and many tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City and Beihai Park. The hostel has 20 rooms; each with six to eight beds.
Conveniences include a public activity area, television, telephones, microwave ovens, air conditioning, 24-hour hot water, a self-catering dining room, a laundry room, a store, and a bar with a reading area and computers that allow Internet access.
The Zhaolong International Youth Hostel is located behind the Zhaolong Hotel. Beijing popular Sanction bar street, the city embassy area, the Lufthansa shopping center and other tourist hotspots are within easy walking distance of the hostel. The hostel has 35 rooms, with two to six beds in each room. It features air conditioning, 24-hour hot water, a self-catering dining room, a laundry room, a store, a game room and a reading room. Residents may use the heath center and other entertainment facilities at the four-star Zhaolong Hotel. Inexpensive and quickly prepared meals are available for less than 20 yuan (US$2.40) at the Zhaolong Hotel.
Both of Beijing youth hostels operate under the members-first system. Membership in the hostel system costs 60 yuan (US$7.20) for adults and 40 yuan (less than US$4.80) for teenagers. Members enjoy a special price of from 40 yuan to 60 yuan per day at the Zhaolong International Hostel, and a price of 50 yuan (less than $6) per day at the Beijing International Hostel. Non-members can only check in when there are available beds.
Non-members can also obtain, for 8 yuan each (less than US$0.96), a welcome card at each check in. Eight welcome cards may be exchanged for a youth hostel member card.
Beijing International Youth Hostel
Add: 9, Jianguomennei Road
Tel: 8610-65126688 ext. 6145/6146
Fax: 8610-65229494
Zhaolong International Youth Hostel
Add: 2 Gongti Beilu Road Chaoyang
Tel: 8610-65972299
Fax: 8610-65972288
E-mail: zlh@zhaolonghotel.com.cn
from Beijing This Month
