Xia Senlin Eco-friendly Hostel (Shaoxing Lu Xun's Hometown Subway Station Yintai City)

The room is spacious, and the bed is super soft and clean. It's a bit awkward sometimes having the toilet right in the room, but that's a minor point. It's still arguably the best hostel in Shaoxing.

This hostel boasts an excellent location, just a short walk from Lu Xun's former residence. Getting there is a breeze, as the C exit of the subway station has an escalator, which is a lifesaver when you're traveling with luggage. The front desk staff are gentle and quiet, and the entire place is spotless. The room details are thoughtful; there are hooks and a long wooden shelf by the bed, making it really convenient for organizing small items. The public common area is on the second-floor hallway, where you can sit and eat. However, it lacks air conditioning, so it gets stuffy and hot during peak summer. The bookstore on the first floor is operated by an external vendor, who suggests you make a purchase before sitting down, though guests can sit without buying anything. This arrangement, unfortunately, means the hostel lacks the lively, communicative atmosphere you'd expect in a youth hostel; it's rare to find fellow travelers to chat with or share travel stories. One thing I found a bit odd and significantly detracted from the experience was the requirement for guests to strip their own bed linens upon check-out. Considering the price, hostels in Shaoxing are almost on par with those in Hangzhou, and not nearly as good value as similarly spec'd accommodations in Yiwu. Overall, I really liked the environment, but it just lacked that warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Having stayed in numerous hostels across more than a dozen cities, some have a truly moving ambiance that stays with you long after you leave. This one, however, didn't quite offer that sense of belonging that makes you want to settle in for a long stay.

I stumbled upon this hostel after seeing a post on Xiaohongshu and was so pleasantly surprised! Even though I only stayed for a short day, the experience was fantastic. I checked in at 12:30 PM, right as the auntie was tidying up the rooms. Each room has its own private bathroom, and the facilities and cleanliness were great. I especially want to highlight the cultural atmosphere of 'Xiao Sen Lin' (Little Forest). From the bookstore on the first floor to the small decorations in the stairwells on each floor, you can really feel a strong and genuine humanistic touch. On the night I checked in, I washed a basket of bayberries, walked from the first floor to the third, wrote notes, read everyone's wishes for life, sent a letter to my thirteen-year-old self, and read a letter to a twenty-six-year-old self from someone who unexpectedly shared my last name. I sat by the window, feeling the evening breeze, listening to the sounds of people and cars from near and far downstairs, and wrote a lot in the hostel's 'drifting notebook' for a long time. Perhaps I'm just more suited to staying in hostels. I'm not someone who enjoys group living; in school, I mostly did things alone. But hostels offer a kind of freedom to come and go as you please, and a chance for serendipitous encounters. You're an independent and free individual, connecting with the world. It's like everyone is an island, yet we're all in the same ocean. Even though this might sound a bit poetic, idealistic, or like something from 'Yilin' magazine, I still want to express my genuine feelings. I saw people of different ages from all over the world, making wonderful connections in different times and spaces. Some were traveling with friends, some were on their first solo trip, some were comforting their inner child, and some were feeling lost about life after the 'Gaokao' (college entrance exam). There's a word in English called 'Sonder,' which refers to the sudden realization that every passerby, every stranger, has a life as complex, vibrant, and detailed as your own. On an escalator, some people you meet for the first time will also be the last. It's the same in a hostel; some people you won't even meet. But they are all living so vividly, and through these connections, your own life intersects with theirs, forming bonds. Finally, I want to thank the ladies at the front desk of Xiao Sen Lin. I disturbed them with a call at 6 AM, but they still helped me receive a delivery. Before leaving, I bravely said I would definitely come back to Shaoxing, only to be told they'd be collecting rent in November. But the lady still opened the door and saw me off. All partings are temporary; we will meet again. Until next time. Chen Qingsheng, June 18, 2026

This hostel is amazing! It has a really artistic vibe. You have to change into slippers when entering the room, and the environment is very pleasant. They even include a free breakfast with a cup of soy milk and a bun, which is a nice touch! Thumbs up!

It was pretty good! The service was excellent. The only minor issue was that the place was a bit hard to find at first, as it's connected to a bookstore. The hostel itself has a fridge and a microwave, though the microwave takes a little longer to heat things up. Overall, it's quite convenient. The toilet is also pretty smart. I'd definitely recommend staying here, especially since it's an easy walk to Lu Xun's Former Residence and Shen Garden.

After three years, I stayed here again. This is a bookstore-themed youth hostel, with a reading area downstairs and accommodation on the second floor. They've also added breakfast. The front desk service is warm and friendly, and the environment is great. I happened to visit on a weekday, so I had the room all to myself. The bed was very comfortable, and they even provided an extra blanket, so I wasn't cold at all at night. I really love this hostel! It's conveniently located near Lu Xun's former residence, making it easy to get anywhere. Plus, they offer qipao rental services, which is a great deal. I just forgot to take pictures before I left!

Fantastic experience! The location is great, really close to tourist attractions, making it super convenient for getting around. The room was clean, tidy, and had no strange odors. Both the environment and the facilities were excellent. The front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. Overall, incredible value for money!