Suzhou Mingtown International Youth Hostel 苏州明堂国际青年旅社

Exploring Zhou Zhuang only took us a couple of hours, it would have preferred it if we had little more time but we need to rush back to Suzhou city. For one thing, I don’t have a place to stay yet. My friends booked their rooms ahead of time, and so did I. Somehow I got the idea that I booked the wrong date, so we need to go back to make sure I have a place to stay. If not, the ladies would be forced to take me in their room, either that or it is the streets for me. The bus station of Zhou Zhuang was tiny and nowhere as modern as the ones from the big cities. This one didn’t even have any electronic sign saying which bus is heading where. Well, it seems like there was no need for that. The bus station only serves a few destinations and the vast majority of them head to Suzhou City. You just need to confirm that the bus is heading in the right place.

Interestingly, we weren’t the only foreigners in that bus station, there were a group of young Thais who are also on tour. They were also winging it like us but I can’t confirm their Chinese language skills since I only heard them speak Thai. Anyway, our bus soon arrived and thankfully, it was a much safer ride back to Suzhou. We quickly made our way to the hostel where the ladies prompty checked in. They asked if there was a dorm bed available and unfortunately, there wasn’t. I was surprised to know that it was a full house that night. I was dejected and was trying to sort things out when the lady asked my name. As it turns out, I do have a reservation for that night. I must have been confused when I though I didn’t.

After berating me for my confusion, my so called “friends” were most relieved that they didn’t need to keep me in their room. Maybe they thought I was trying to sleep in their room by going through the backdoor. Anyway, it was time to explore the Suzhou Mingtown Internation Youth Hostel. This one was right smack in the UNESCO World Heritage site section of Suzhou. The hostel was built in much like the old chinese residences that are characteristic of the area. As much as possible, the structure of the old chinese residence was kept including the court yards where people have gather and just talk. The lighting of the hostel was very impressive and it gives it a very classy feel.

The rooms were much like the dorm rooms that I have been too. Once again, I was on the top bunk. I hardly even get the luck to land the bottom bunk as it is much easier to just throw myself on the bed instead of having to climb to the top, sometimes in the dark. My friends’ double room was very nice, the beds were a bit small though but it was just nice for their size. One comment though is that the walls may be a bit thin as I think I can hear people outside especially though the windows.

The Suzhou Mingtown International Youth Hostel is certainly a gem of a place to stay in. How often do you get to stay inside a UNESCO World Heritage site? The design of the hostel was certain in line with the location and it probably looks even better than the rest without standing out too much. It is within walking distance of a few famous classical gardens which we will be exploring the next day.

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