Homestays di Gansu, China

The butler service was excellent and very responsive. We stayed in both the RV and the tent. My family in the tent said the wind was so strong at night they felt like they were going to be blown away, haha, but the tent was beautiful and still worth experiencing. The breakfast buffet was very good. It's truly impressive to have so many fresh vegetables available in the desert. When we visited, there was a bonfire party and folk music performance, though the butler mentioned it's not held every night. I came here last year and thought this hotel, deep in the desert, was amazing. Unlike other tent hotels that put up a bunch of haphazard things just to attract guests, this one was just a large expanse of clean, simple desert. The environment was elegant and refined, and the experience far exceeded my expectations. I raved about it to my family when I got back. To be honest, this year was a bit disappointing because I noticed they seemed to be setting up amusement rides like carousels. The grounds looked messy and it wasn't as serene as last year. And a carousel in the middle of the desert really feels superfluous... The kids were all busy digging, sandboarding, and socializing. I really hope it doesn't turn into a messy tent hotel. However, the butlers were all very dedicated and provided excellent service, which is something I can't fault.

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!

Quality stay! A hidden gem! [If you don't want spoilers, go experience it first for a bigger surprise!] ✔️ Upon check-in, they offered homemade apricot peel tea, chilled and delicious. ✔️ The hotel has apricot and jujube trees. During this season, you can pick Li Guang apricots, wash them right by the pool, and eat them fresh – so tasty! ✔️ The stay includes a complimentary travel photoshoot and refined edits. The in-house photo studio also offers paid makeup and styling, which was done beautifully – absolutely stunning and great for photos. ✔️ The showerhead is Hansgrohe. Our room had a bathtub, and both the bed and sofa were very comfortable. Both the hardware and software are excellent. ✔️ The hotel provides afternoon tea with dried fruits, fresh fruit, and tea – very relaxing. ✔️ Each room has a dedicated butler service, and any request is quickly attended to. ✔️ In the evening, there's a sweet soup for goodnight. It's also very close to Dunhuang Night Market by car, so it's great to refuel after a good stroll. ✔️ The set breakfast offers a rich variety: mini wontons, congee, bread, sausages, fried eggs, fruit, milk, yogurt, and apricot peel tea. Room service is also available. ✔️ The hotel has a swimming pool with swimming rings provided. The lounge area is under apricot trees, and the poolside environment is fantastic. You can go for a swim when the sun isn't too strong. ✔️ Upon departure, there's a farewell gift, a special souvenir from Dunhuang. Overall, I just loved it. Honestly, I can't think of anything that needs improvement! ✨️

This was my first stop in China and I’m so happy that I stayed in Dunhuang at Baibaili Hotel. I was looked after so well, the hospitality of the staff extended many times for several necessities and I’m touched by their hospitality. This will for a very long time, be my remarkable first impression of China, its people and their culture. The location is perfect if you want to stay a bit further out from town and enjoy the silence of being closer to the desert and the stunning design of the place. Beautiful and comfortable room, all the final touches refined every day and after 24 hrs of travelling; a generous fruit and snack plate that grounded me sweetly into Dunhuang upon arrival and farewelled me just after mid-autumn with a beautiful moon cake. Their communication was frequent and always made sure I had what I needed. Thank you so much Baibaili

This stay was absolutely delightful! I was initially worried about the location being a bit out of the way, so I only booked one night. To my surprise, getting a taxi on the first night was super easy, so we extended our stay. While there aren't other guesthouses right around ours, we noticed a whole street full of guesthouses nearby, which seemed crowded and noisy. At night, lying in bed, you can hear the wind brushing against the walls, but it's not loud; it actually feels like being in harmony with nature. My husband and I also went gold panning – if you find gold coins, you can exchange them for prizes. We went enthusiastically, expecting a small sandbox like in a park, but it was a massive area! **Mingsha Mountain View Afternoon Tea:** The chilled apricot peel tea was delicious. **Fengmingsha Desert Restaurant - 30% off coupon for set meals:** After we landed, the butler collected our luggage and told us hotpot was ready, just waiting for us to freshen up and eat. The lamb wasn't ***** at all, and the dipping sauce was really tasty.

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.

A cozy B&B by Mingsha Mountain with an amazing lamb noodle soup for breakfast! I booked this ”No. 23 Courtyard” through Trip.com in Dunhuang, and it exceeded my expectations. Definitely deserves a great review. 📍Location: It's very close to Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area, only a 7-yuan taxi ride away. Super convenient for catching both sunset and sunrise, saving a lot of travel time. 🏡Environment: There's a charming little courtyard. I had breakfast sitting under a tree one morning, and the owner and his daughter (just home for vacation) even picked some local specialty Li Guang apricots for us to try, sharing an interesting legend. Although I heard a few dog barks at night (their dog Chopper was on duty!), the owner explained it was foxes visiting, which actually added a touch of wilderness charm. 🛏️Accommodation: The room was clean and tidy, and very quiet at night. A pleasant surprise was the fully automatic, heated smart toilet. The towels were also thick, new plush ones, making for a comfortable and reassuring stay. 🍜Breakfast: It's a set menu, and I have to rave about the lamb noodle soup – fresh, delicious, and warming. The five-spice tea eggs were also very flavorful. The owner eats the same food as the guests, which shows the quality of the ingredients. 🍵Afternoon Tea: They surprisingly offer it for free, which is rare for a B&B. Big plus! Overall, it's a comfortable, clean B&B with a family-like atmosphere and great value for money. I'd definitely consider staying here again on my next trip to Dunhuang.

The hotel facilities are exceptionally complete. The entire room was clean and tidy, with a full range of toiletries and stable water pressure in the shower. The air conditioning worked very well, and all the furniture and appliances were provided. It was a comfortable and hassle-free stay, an absolutely fantastic experience.

Out of our 9-day trip along the Qinghai-Gansu Loop, this homestay was our family's absolute favorite. It's a place with real heart and soul, where every detail is thoughtfully considered. Even our five-year-old said he'd give this hotel 30 stars! The homestay has a great design aesthetic, and the rooms are spotless, perfectly matching the tastes and ideas of younger travelers. We always bring our own disposable toiletries when we travel, but here, everything was already provided in the room. I also really loved the landlady – she's just one of those people you instantly like, and it was so comfortable interacting with her. From the moment we checked into the homestay in Dunhuang, we had such a positive impression of the city. Even though our stay was brief, it's full of beautiful memories. When we were leaving, she found out my child liked apricots and even gave him some from her own yard, which was incredibly touching. The breakfast offered a wide variety, and it was all very enjoyable. I truly recommend this homestay if you're coming to Dunhuang. I hope everyone gets to experience the genuine warmth and hospitality during their travels here. Their raisins are also highly recommended!