22 Best Hotels in The Silk Road, China

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We've compiled the best of the best in The Silk Road - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Bell Tower Hotel

$ | 110 Nan Da Jie, Xian, 710001, China

Directly across from the Bell Tower, this comfortable and centrally located hotel puts you within walking distance of many of the city's most popular tourist sights. The grand marble lobby is impressive, but the standard rooms are bare. Rooms at the front of the building are more expensive because they have views of the Bell Tower, but some visitors are disturbed by noise from the traffic.

Pros

  • Excellent location near public transport
  • Clean rooms
  • Some rooms with view of Bell Tower

Cons

  • Absence of character
  • Rooms dated and showing wear
  • Hotel restaurants are mediocre
110 Nan Da Jie, Xian, 710001, China
029-8760–0000
hotel Details
311 rooms
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Crowne Plaza Lanzhou

$$ | 1 Beibinhe Dong Lu, Lanzhou, 730046, China

Located close to the Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center, this modern hotel is a little removed from the city center but offers solid service and good views of the neighboring Yellow River. The breakfast spread offers enough options, among them Chinese, Indian, and Continental, to please Western guests. With little to do come nightfall, the hotel's spa and indoor pool make for pleasant distraction.

Pros

  • Attentive staff
  • Good breakfast buffet
  • Generous room size

Cons

  • Difficult to get a taxi back to the hotel
  • Staff don't speak much English
  • Small gym
1 Beibinhe Dong Lu, Lanzhou, 730046, China
0931-871–1111
hotel Details
440 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Dunhuang Fandian

$ | 373 Mingshan Lu, Dunhuang, 736200, China

If you're looking for something mildly luxurious, this lodging in the center of town will fit the bill. Rooms are nicer than the average Chinese hotel, but without an elevator you'll have to climb the stairs to your room.

Pros

  • Central location near plenty of restaurants
  • Excellent value
  • Well-appointed rooms

Cons

  • Some noise from a local nightclub if you're on a low floor
  • Chinese breakfast options only
  • No elevator
373 Mingshan Lu, Dunhuang, 736200, China
0937-885–2999
hotel Details
98 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Dunhuang Silk Road Hotel

$ | Dunyue Lu near Wenchang Nan Lu, Dunhuang, 736200, China Fodor's Choice

This cross between a Chinese fortress and an alpine lodge is the most interesting place to stay in Dunhuang, and possibly in the whole of the province. The large, spacious rooms have historical touches like Ming reproduction furniture and traditional wooden shower buckets. The hotel arranges some great tours, including a sunrise camel ride to the sand dunes of Singing Sand Mountain. The fourth-floor café is the perfect spot to appreciate the dunes from a distance. The hotel's only drawback is its location 3 km (2 miles) south of the town center.

Pros

  • Rooftop terrace
  • Good hotel food
  • Walking distance from the sand dunes

Cons

  • Touts approach guests all the time
  • Far from the night market
  • Comparatively expensive
Dunyue Lu near Wenchang Nan Lu, Dunhuang, 736200, China
0937-888–2088
hotel Details
266 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Grand Metropark Hotel Xian

$ | 158 Dong Dajie, Xian, 710001, China

Although there are newer luxury properties, people return to the Grand Metropark because of its friendly staff, most of whom speak some English, and its central location. Near the most popular sights, it's within walking distance of the Bell Tower and the East Gate. The guest rooms are smaller and more drab than rooms at other comparably priced hotels, and are definitely in need of refurbishment. The beds, though, are plenty comfortable, and the large windows provide great city views.

Pros

  • Walking distance to the city's sights
  • Ample breakfast spread
  • Several restaurant options inside and nearby

Cons

  • Breakfast overpriced if not included in room rate
  • Music in the atrium lobby can be annoying
  • Rooms show signs of age
158 Dong Dajie, Xian, 710001, China
029-8723–1234
hotel Details
337 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Hoi Tak Hotel

$ | 1 Dongfeng Lu, Ürümqi, 830002, China Fodor's Choice

Overlooking People's Square in bustling downtown Ürümqi, this hotel offers tastefully appointed rooms that would satisfy those seeking a higher level of comfort. For the best views, request a room on the east side. Standard rooms are not huge but offer ample closet space and clean bathrooms. The lobby bar, while straight out of the '70s, makes surprisingly good cocktails. Western options are lacking in the breakfast buffet, but at the very least you should be able to find eggs and fresh fruit.

Pros

  • The staff speak English
  • Rooms are good value
  • Free Wi-Fi

Cons

  • Removed from main attractions
  • Disappointing breakfast buffet
  • Limited selection of restaurants nearby
1 Dongfeng Lu, Ürümqi, 830002, China
0991-232–2828
hotel Details
356 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel

$ | 18 Huancheng Nan Lu (Xi Duan), Xian, 710068, China

Though dated, this HoJo offers good value for money in a hotel that sits just outside the city walls near the south gate and the Yongningmen metro station. Though rooms are in need of serious updating, they're spacious and the beds cushier than the rock-hard beds at Chinese hotels. Superior rooms have views of the city wall.

Pros

  • Convenient to city wall
  • Breakfast buffet has plenty of Western options
  • Caters to the Western comfort standard

Cons

  • Nothing individual about this place
  • Language barriers with staff
  • Located outside the old city
18 Huancheng Nan Lu (Xi Duan), Xian, 710068, China
029-8818–1111
hotel Details
198 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Ibis Xian

$ | 59 Heping Lu, Xian, 710001, China

The best bargain in Xi'an's Old City is part of the French budget hotel chain Ibis. It offers decent rooms and low prices and is run to Western standards, so the beds are comfortable and everything is clean. The hotel is within walking distance of the Confucius Temple, and a few Chinese bars are up the road. The travel agency on the ground floor can organize cars and tours to the Terracotta Warriors, Huashan, and other sights.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Friendly service
  • Excellent value for the comfort

Cons

  • Unappealing breakfast
  • Roadside rooms can be a bit noisy at night
  • Far walk from the subway stop
59 Heping Lu, Xian, 710001, China
029-8727–5555
hotel Details
220 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Jinjiang Sun Hotel

$ | 589 Donggang Xi Lu, Lanzhou, 730000, China

From the marble floors in the lobby to the plush furnishings, this 25-story tower houses one of Lanzhou's top hotels. On the west side, the upper floors have sweeping views of the mountains and the sunshine pours in, heating up the rooms.

Pros

  • Excellent value
  • Reception staff speak English
  • Good Chinese/Western breakfast options

Cons

  • Wi-Fi is free but very slow
  • Business-center facilities are sparse
  • In a commercial part of town
589 Donggang Xi Lu, Lanzhou, 730000, China
0931-880–5511
hotel Details
236 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Lanzhou Hotel

$ | 486 Donggang Xi Lu at corner of Tianshui Zhong Lu, Lanzhou, 730000, China

Built in 1956, this concrete behemoth's Sino-Stalinist exterior hides a modern if drab interior. Pleasant service and clean, standard-size rooms make this hotel's main building a good value; the older east and west wings house shabbier but still acceptable rooms for half the price. Beds are hard. The hotel's Chinese restaurant, Zhong Hua Yuan, cooks up great local cuisine.

Pros

  • A local landmark that's easy to find
  • Great value rooms
  • Good on-site Chinese restaurant

Cons

  • Even the no-smoking rooms smell smoky
  • Rooms lack any character
  • Few staff speak English
486 Donggang Xi Lu at corner of Tianshui Zhong Lu, Lanzhou, 730000, China
0931-841–6321
hotel Details
468 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Luxemon Yindu Hotel

$ | 179 Xihong Xi Lu, Ürümqi, 830000, China

Situated between the city center and the Xinjiang Museum, this hotel has long catered to foreign tourists and visiting diplomats. The reception area is inviting, and rooms have city views and smart decor. Restaurants are a convenient walk and the hotel sits right across the street from a market. Fair warning: you may be put off by the window between the shower and the bed, which the staff explain is "for your wedding night."

Pros

  • Comfortable rooms
  • Staff speak enough English to communicate
  • Breakfast buffet offers enough Western options

Cons

  • Bad location for exploring the sights
  • No convenient bus stops nearby
  • Awkward bathroom window
179 Xihong Xi Lu, Ürümqi, 830000, China
0991-453–6688
hotel Details
308 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Qinghai Hotel

$ | 158 Huanghe Lu, Xining, 810001, China

Although the outside looks drab, this hotel's lobby is decked out in tapered columns, fountains, marble sculptures, and ornate wall decor to go with simple yet sophisticated rooms. The hotel is geared toward government officials and local business people—there are in-house karaoke facilities—but tourists will appreciate its rooms, which are clean and large. The Chinese restaurant serves everything from dim sum to spicy venison and rabbit, but for those seeking a taste of home, there's also a Western restaurant on the first floor.

Pros

  • Central location
  • Large, clean rooms
  • Good restaurant options

Cons

  • Staff speak limited English
  • The temperature in the rooms cannot be adjusted
  • Caters to business people, not tourists
158 Huanghe Lu, Xining, 810001, China
0971-614–8999
hotel Details
396 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Radisson Blu Hotel Kashgar

$ | 2 Duolaite Bage Lu, Kashgar, 844000, China

Located 10 minutes by cab from the city center, this stylish and modern hotel in Kashgar is a bit of luxury in the far western reaches of China. Unwind after a long and possibly quite hot day of sightseeing in the indoor pool. The hotel overlooks the Kirzlesu River and offers expansive views of Kashgar and the mountains surrounding it. Both Chinese and Western options are available at the breakfast and dinner buffets.

Pros

  • Some staff speak English
  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Indoor pool

Cons

  • Not walking distance from downtown
  • Breakfast not included
  • Comparatively high rates for Kashgar
2 Duolaite Bage Lu, Kashgar, 844000, China
0998-268–8888
hotel Details
261 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Seman Hotel

$ | 170 Seman Lu, Kashgar, 844000, China

Built in 1890 as the Russian consulate, this edifice served as a center of political intrigue for many years until it was transformed into a hotel in the 1950s. The oldest wing of the hotel is the original consulate, where fans of the "Great Game" can stay in musty suites with luxurious rugs and old furniture. The hotel is the least expensive of those open to foreigners, but newer rooms range from comfortable to dilapidated, so be sure to look at a few before you decide. The nicer ones surround a pleasant courtyard in the rear. The Old Road Tours travel agency is located in the lobby.

Pros

  • Near some excellent restaurants
  • Competitive prices from the lobby tour agencies
  • Attractive Uyghur-style decoration

Cons

  • Musty bathrooms in the cheaper rooms and dorms
  • Many rooms in need of updating
  • A long walk from the city center
170 Seman Lu, Kashgar, 844000, China
0998-258–2129
hotel Details
168 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Shangri-La Golden Flower

$ | 8 Changle Xi Lu, Xian, 710032, China Fodor's Choice

The older of the two Shangri-La's in Xi'an, this remains one of the city's most luxurious hotels with English-speaking staff, an indoor swimming pool and gym facilities. The hotel is 10–15 minutes northeast of the city center, and easily accessible by subway. Get off at Tong Hua Men station on Line 1 and take Exit B.

Make sure your cab driver knows you're going to the Golden Flower Hotel, and not the Shangri-La, or else you many find yourself at the newer Shangri-La all the way across town to the east.

Pros

  • Spacious rooms
  • Large indoor swimming pool
  • Quick access to the subway

Cons

  • Layout is confusing
  • Rooms beginning to show age
  • Bathrooms are in need of updating
8 Changle Xi Lu, Xian, 710032, China
029-8323–2981
hotel Details
415 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Sheraton Ürümqi Hotel

$ | 669 Youhao Bei Lu, Ürümqi, 830000, China

Very popular with both well-heeled business and leisure travelers, this luxury hotel pampers you with an indoor pool illuminated with skylights and one of the better hotel gyms you'll find in Ürümqi. The lobby gleams and the restaurant is lovely, including a breakfast buffet with reasonable Western style options. The rooms are spacious, with beds covered with snowy white sheets and fluffy duvets. Just outside the doors of the hotel you'll find some of the best shopping and food that Ürümqi has to offer.

Pros

  • Near the museum
  • Plenty of shopping
  • Proper pool and gym

Cons

  • Most staff don't speak English
  • Not the Sheraton service you expect
  • Slightly overpriced
669 Youhao Bei Lu, Ürümqi, 830000, China
0991-699–9999
hotel Details
398 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Sheraton Xian Hotel

$ | 262 Fenghao Dong Lu, Xian, 710077, China

Expect high-quality standards in this name-brand hotel, among them truly comfortably beds and front desk staff who speak English well. Unfortunately, the hotel is 20 minutes west of the city center, making it far from the most popular tourist sites. Still, it's a fine choice if other hotels are booked and, indeed, offers better service than some of the more conveniently located options.

Pros

  • Glitzy and well-fitted bathrooms
  • Excellent buffet breakfast
  • Sheraton-level service

Cons

  • Located in an uninteresting commercial part of town
  • Lack of guest control over a/c
262 Fenghao Dong Lu, Xian, 710077, China
029-8426–1888
hotel Details
426 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

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Tumaris Hotel

$ | 618 S. Xinhua Rd., Ürümqi, 834000, China
This Uyghur-style hotel provides thoughtful interior design and comfortable rooms at an ideal location near the International Grand Bazaar. The lobby is an impressive display of pointed arches, chandeliers and other Islamic-design themes hinting at the fact that their primary guest is a wealthier Uyghur or Central Asian businessperson. Standard rooms are spacious and comfortable while the staff, who often don't speak English, are friendly and very accommodating. The restaurant on the first floor serves delicious Uyghur cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Pros

  • Near the International Bazaar
  • Beautiful local architecture and decoration
  • Excellent value

Cons

  • Shows signs of age
  • Next to a noisy highway
  • No English-speaking staff
618 S. Xinhua Rd., Ürümqi, 834000, China
0991-852--5555
hotel Details
152 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Turpan Hotel

$ | 1695 Qingnian Nan Lu, Turpan, 838000, China

This study in basic geometry has definitely seen better days, but rooms are relatively clean and large, the restaurant is good, and the gift shops are handy. Even if you're not staying here, the indoor swimming pool—open only in the summer—is a good place to cool off after a day in the desert sun. Admission is Y20 per person.

Pros

  • Offers good discounts
  • Friendly staff
  • Swimming pool

Cons

  • If you can't get a discount, better values are available elsewhere
  • Chinese breakfast options only
  • Aging rooms
1695 Qingnian Nan Lu, Turpan, 838000, China
0995-856–8888
hotel Details
204 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

  • $

Turpan Jiaotong Hotel

$ | 230 Laocheng Xi Lu, Turpan, 838000, China

This budget option, whose rooms have been renovated, isn't a bad place to stay, despite noise from the busy street and bazaar across the street. The on-site travel agency makes arranging tours a snap, although the staff can be a bit pushy. If you come in the off-season, a deluxe suite with a small balcony overlooking the bazaar can be had for as little as Y200.

Pros

  • Bargain rates
  • Located near the bazaar
  • Plenty of convenient transportation

Cons

  • Bad water pressure
  • Occasional power outages
  • Constant street noise
230 Laocheng Xi Lu, Turpan, 838000, China
0995-625–8666
hotel Details
100 rooms
Rate Includes: No credit cards, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Turpan Silk Road Lodge

$ | Munar village 4 km east of Turpan, Turpan, 838000, China
Nestled among quiet rows of a grape vineyard, the Silk Road Lodge is one of the few boutique hotels in all of Xinjiang. Despite traces of shoddy construction, the building is a beautiful homage to Uyghur architecture complete with rooftop terraces and an open courtyard. The English-speaking staff are friendly and the breakfast in the morning is the closest thing you'll find to familiar Western fare in Turpan.

Pros

  • Friendly staff
  • Serene location surrounded by a vineyard
  • Tasty breakfast with real coffee

Cons

  • Signs of poor construction
  • More expensive lodging option
  • Far from the city center
Munar village 4 km east of Turpan, Turpan, 838000, China
0995-856--8333
hotel Details
15 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Yinlong Hotel

$ | 38 Huanghe Lu, Xining, 810001, China

This ultramodern hotel is considered the finest lodging between Xi'an and Ürümqi, with exceptionally comfortable rooms and a quiet location. Standards seem to have fallen recently, but if you can overlook lackadaisical service, it's possible to get great value rooms with views of Xining's central square.

During low season (winter), rooms start from Y630.

Pros

  • Central location
  • Good-quality hotel restaurants
  • Wi-Fi in rooms

Cons

  • Expensive buffet breakfast
  • Small gym
  • Dearth of English-speakers
38 Huanghe Lu, Xining, 810001, China
0971-616–6666
hotel Details
316 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

  • $

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