Mingtown Suzhou International Youth Hostel — Hotel in Suzhou City

I deliberately chose this as I was here (due to visa expiry dates - not recommended ) during the October holiday. I wanted to stay in an area where there was something to see/experience that doesn’t require a ticket and thus queuing. I like the area - as soon as you take some side alleys it gets much quieter and still feels rather authentic, plus there are lots of (street) food options around and some of the sites are within walking distance. I liked the bar/restaurant but is was often empty.|My first private room in a while so I was disappointed to get less toiletries than when staying in dorms - the eco-argument I read in their response to reviews is nonsense, plenty of hostels provide toiletries in big dispensers. |Communication was difficult and info given inaccurate, eg. about double payment, laundry hours - I didn’t have the feeling they intended to clarify or improve things, they just don’t seem to care when customers complain. |Kitchen closes early at 8pm. |As I was here during October week, I tried to visit some less popular places to avoid crazy queues:|- Couple’s garden: nice to walk around in for an hour and a half or so, but I was a bit underwhelmed|- Suzhou museum: reserved online an hour in advance or so. Interesting museum with some good interpretation, I enjoyed the half day I spent here. A small part with contemporary art as well and a beautiful contemporary art installation on the way out in the old part of the building - but I guess that was temporary.|- Evening music performance in the Garden of the Master of the Nets, as from 7.30 pm. Not high quality, a bit kitsch, you can walk around the garden at the end.|- Kunqu opera museum has performances on Sunday at 2pm, with some English subtitles. Was a bit pricey, I enjoyed seeing it but left after an hour.|- Pan gate scenic area: interesting to spend a couple of hours and not too busy||Food: try the crab soup dumpling (25¥) if you are there in season, delicious and a fun way of eating a dumpling with a straw. Nice food and atmosphere in Pingvon restaurant along the river on Pingjiang Lu. I found the squirrel fish to be overpriced (200¥) for what it was, the taste is not that spectacular imo. Several coffee shops ran by young entrepreneurs...

I decided on this hostel because it seemed like a quaint place. The hostel is in the middle of an old town but there wasn't anything much of interest around IMO and is a bit of a walk from the train station if you are carrying a lot of luggage. While I do think that the room has some charm but it didnt get warm with the heater in winter during an unfortunate sudden cold spell and I had to wear a fair bit to bed. But thankfully it was only for night's stay. It takes more than an hour (with a transfer) to get to Tongli watertown by train from here or you can get onto one of the tourist buses to the watertown at the railway station if one...

We stayed here one night in a private room. The hostel was located in old buildings right by the canal on a lovely pedestrian street. Our room had a window to an alley that led to the street. We were afraid that would keep us awake, but it turned out to not be an issue. Staff was friendly and helpful. The room was nice and clean. It's a hostel, so the room is basic. It did include towels and slippers. At times, there was a sewer smell coming from the bathroom, which is something we noticed at other accommodations in China, too. They take cash or Alipay, so don't expect to pay with a credit card. Overall, a great place to stay to see this...