2-Star Hotels in Gansu, China

I stayed in a 4-person room. The room was minimalist and medium-small, with lockers – basic but comfortable. The common area is stylish and inviting, with plenty of seating, cozy corners, plants, kettles, and power outlets, though it’s on a high floor with a glass ceiling – warm when hot, cozy when cold, and the few fans aren’t always enough. The staff at the desk were friendly, laundry facilities available, though no snacks or cold drinks. The area is urban, among regular buildings, so not particularly attractive from the outside, but within walking distance to the museum and the metro station, with a large supermarket and several food options nearby. Overall, a decent place to stay in Lanzhou.

The boss was very enthusiastic. I contacted him one day in advance and waited for us at the station early the next morning. The accommodation was close to the East Gate. We said we were going to Crescent Lake and Mingsha Mountain. The boss took the initiative to drive us to the Middle Gate, saying that we could save 20 yuan on the shuttle bus fare. The next day, we signed up for a tour group to go out and play. The boss also sent us to the boarding point early in the morning. The boss was afraid that it would be inconvenient to go back after the Crescent Lake Music Festival, so he also came to pick us up, making our travel very convenient. The accommodation environment is also very good, and the steamed bun for breakfast is particularly large.

The best aspect of this stay was by far the owner. He was incredibly, incredibly helpful and friendly — from the moment I walked in the door he offered me a cup of tea, then provided tea and bread the next morning for breakfast, offered advice on what to see in the area, arranged a car to take me to Dalzong Lake, and finally even found me a spot on a local minibus going to my next destination. I couldn’t have done half the things I did during my stay in Xiahe without his advice and efforts on my behalf, so that alone made staying here fully worthwhile! It’s worth mentioning that the guesthouse’s architecture is also absolutely beautiful, and everything looks quite new. It’s located down a quiet side alley off of one of the main commercial streets in town, which seems like the ideal placement. On the accommodations: I stayed in one of the two tents erected on the second floor of the guesthouse. This was largely quite a good experience! The bed was very comfortable (with a heated pad), water and towels provided, etc. The tents are not in a closed-off area, but rather on the second floor/balcony area that also is used for sitting, serving tea, etc., so privacy is somewhat limited, but the whole guesthouse is relatively quiet anyway so it doesn’t feel like a public space. My only suggestions for improvement would be related to the bathroom: during my stay, the shared bathroom for the tents was a sort of temporary-style booth installed in the corner of the room with a toilet, sink, and showerhead. The bathroom was very clean and everything inside worked well, but its sliding door separated from the wall enough that there was always a substantial enough space on one side or the other that could be seen through (the door also didn’t lock and slid back and forth easily). The booth was also small enough that, realistically, I think it would be a bit of a challenge to actually use it to shower. If possible it might be worth looking into some simple fixes to improve these situations, but otherwise I have no complaints!

I brought my parents, who are in their 70s, to visit Maiji Mountain. The hostess was incredibly warm and attentive. After arriving at the North Gate 1 of the Maiji Mountain scenic area, we just made a call and she came directly to pick us up and take us to the guesthouse. The room was spotless, not a speck of dust anywhere. For dinner, we had mushroom stew with free-range chicken and stir-fried wild vegetables – truly delicious! 😋 The next day, she dropped us off at the entrance of the Maiji Mountain scenic spot at 7:30 AM, so we were the first ones to go in at 8:30 AM. After our visit, we saw a super long queue had already formed outside. Afterward, we took a taxi to explore Xianren Cliff and Jingtu Temple. Finally, the hostess even drove our luggage to the Line 34 bus stop to drop us off. It was a truly perfect day, so relaxed and easy. We avoided the crowds in the morning and didn't have to wait in long lines, making for a 10/10 visiting experience. Huge thanks to the hostess for the pick-up and drop-off service!

If life is a never-ending journey, then the camping trip at the Desert Star Hotel is undoubtedly a highlight of my journey. When I arrived at the campsite, the first thing that attracted me was the unique tent house. Unlike regular tents, the top of the tent is made of special transparent materials, like a huge viewing platform, which builds a bridge of communication between me and the vast galaxy. As night fell, I couldn't wait to lie on the soft bed, and when I looked up, the bright starry sky was presented to me without reservation. The stars twinkled, like gems inlaid on the black sky, beautiful as a dream. At that moment, the world seemed to press the mute button, and the impetuousness and noise in my heart were instantly soothed. The unique beauty of this quietness made me intoxicated. It is worth mentioning that the hotel staff is very considerate. After placing the order, the customer service guy at the front desk added our contact information and gave us some local travel tips, which saved us a lot of time. From the warm reception at check-in, to the careful guidance during the activities, to the warm greetings at night, every detail made people feel cared for. They not only provided me with thoughtful service, but also made me feel the simplicity and enthusiasm of the desert people. This desert camping trip not only allowed me to appreciate the magnificent scenery of the desert, but also experienced exciting and interesting activities, which became an eternal and beautiful memory in my heart.

The location is pretty good, with lots of food options right outside. It's also just one bus ride away from the Provincial Museum, and best of all, parking is free. The room's bed can be fully enclosed, offering great privacy, though it can get a bit stuffy when completely closed off – that's really a matter of personal preference.

The hotel is in a great location, with a similar distance to the city center and Maiji Mountain, making travel very convenient! The room is clean and the shower water is huge! The front desk service attitude is also good, it is worth recommending!

The hotel standard was in the early 1980s. I booked a deluxe suite, but the facilities were old, the sewer smelled, the water was too small to wash my hair, the towels had been used thousands of times, there were no shampoo and bath products, and no facial tissue.

I booked a tent room specifically because I'd never stayed there before. It was very clean, and even though there were several tents next to each other, it wasn't noisy at all at night. The owner was very welcoming, and I envied him for having a very nice BMW ADV. I highly recommend staying here!

This guesthouse is a hidden gem! 1. The location is super convenient, right at the west gate of Mingsha Mountain, just a 1-minute walk away. It was perfect for playing in the sand and attending the concert. 2. The desert-themed decor and furnishings are incredibly photogenic, and the hotel facilities are brand new, including smart toilets. They even have cute little kittens around! ☺ 3. It has a starry sky theme, and the owner gives amazing stargazing classes. The rooftop terrace is perfect for stargazing, and the owner even has a professional telescope. It's fantastic! 4. The breakfast is homemade by the owner. While simple, it's clean, hygienic, and tastes great. 5. The best part is the owner's service. The whole family is incredibly nice and hospitable. They helped us with our luggage, answered all of my child's astronomy questions, provided airport transfers, and even recommended local itineraries. It's just wonderful!