Potu E-sports Hostel

One of the best hostels I’ve stayed at in China — and the best in Xinjiang! Super clean, comfy bed, great shower pressure, and a perfect location close to everything. It was also really quiet — I slept so well, and it’s been a while since I could say that. I wish I could’ve stayed longer. The lockers are huge — you can even fit a big backpack! Free drinking water and laundry are a great bonus too.

I was travelling with friends but decided to stay on a hostel instead of a hotel with them to save a bit of money. This hostel is excellent value for money. The beds are comfortable and AC is available. The bedding was fresh and clean. You are provided with lockers to keep your belongings safe. The hostel provides toothbrushes & toothpaste as well as a small disposable towel, a bigger proper towel would be better but it does the job. A comb is also provided. Shower gel and shampoo are provided in the showers. The toilets are mostly squat toilets which are standard in China but there is one western style toilet available. There is laundry facilities and a water dispenser. The hostel also has its own bar. The WiFi is also good. The receptionists are very helpful and communication was a non-issue as they used a translator app when necessary. It’s a great way to meet new people while travelling. The hostel is in a good location, the area has a good atmosphere and it is very close to a metro station. I visited most of the tourist spots in Urumqi apart from 红山 because I didn’t have time. The Xinjiang Museum was one of the highlights. I also did a day trip to Turpan while in Urumqi. Overall, I would recommend staying here.

Second time I come to stay. Very clean, and washing machine dryer provided.

Cool place

Lots of locals stay here. There is smoking allowed in the rooms and building. No towels available for rent. Overall ok but not great for foreigners wanting to meet other travellers

This is a reasonable hostel option in Urumqi but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying here. It’s half an hour walk from The Grand Bazaar and Hetian streets and while it’s close to the Nanmen Metro stop, there’s only one line in Urumqi so you won’t be using it much. The hostel itself is clean and the rooms are well set up. My only complaint about the hostel is the bathrooms which are semi transparent cubicles and have the hooks to hang your clothes OUTSIDE the cubicle so you have to step out naked to get changed. The front desk is also understaffed with the staff not being very knowledgeable about how to get to attractions. Overall, this is a good hostel in a less than ideal location but given the options it might still be your best bet!