My girlfriend and I will be spending 2 months in China this summer,
from June 6 - August 6. Because of the length of the stay, we'll be
needing very inexpensive accommodations, with a goal of spending
between $10 - $15 per day, or less.
1. What kinds of options are available in these cities which meet our
requirements: youth hostels? short-term (month to month) furnished
apartments? long-term business suites? public dormitories (I've heard
rumors that some universities open their dorms to others in the summer
holiday but have been unable to confirm)? homestay programs? other
options?
2. Our dates are not final yet for when we'll be in which city. When
we are sure, how do we make arrangements for each? Specific contacts
and contact methods would be preferred. Email is preferred over
telephone (for cost and language barrier reasons).

I need a description, cost, and contact info at least 4 options in
each of the cities above, who currently have units available matching
our criteria. If our cost criteria cannot be met, the lowest 4 options
in each city are acceptable answers.

Our conditions: Ideally we'd like to share a room, but dorm-style
accommodations are acceptable if needed. Access to a small kitchen
(even if shared) is greatly preferred. Reservation contacts with at
least a cursory knowledge of either written or spoken English is a
must (written-only is okay if they have an email address, for
example).

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 18 May 2004 19:27 PDT

Hello mmussel3-ga!

 The major aspect of your question that makes this very difficult to
answer is that you have no set dates, so even if a researcher finds
accomodations that meet your needs, there is absolutely no guarantee
of availability. You have stated "I need a description, cost, and
contact info at least 4 options in
each of the cities above,  -  who currently have units available matching
our criteria."  It is hard to find anything that has openings from
June 6 - August 6 so that you can choose a week or two during that
timeframe. Therefore, there is no way to answer that portion of your
question.
 Secondly, if a researcher cannot come up with 4 options in each city,
even if they are more expensive options, the question becomes even
harder to answer.
 Would you be comfortable with a list of accomodations of various
sorts for the three cities of interest that are "close" to your
criteria, so that you have some contact information you can follow
through with on your own? Also, if there are less than four for each
city, would you still be willing to accept those as an answer? Only
you can decide on the dates and determine availability once they are
set.
 If you can loosen up your parameters a bit, a researcher might be
able to provide some possible options.

umiat

Hi, thanks for your question.

Hangzhou was the most difficult to find the accomadations specified,
but hopefully one of the options provided will help. The commentor
from Shanghai seems correct in that there isn't much that is as cheap
as you would prefer. However, I did find some places that are cheaper
than they expected and seem pretty reasonable. I searched extensively
for your specific conditions and these were the closest matches for
the 3 cities respectively. I will continue to research this and make a
few calls to see if I can track some more places down. I'm also going
to contact a chinese I'll respond with a follow up clarification soon.

Hangzhou:

1) Jiang Nan Yi International Youth Hostel in Hangzhou, China, Asia
No.32, Xia Man Jue Long Road, Xi Hu (West Lake) District 
online booking available
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.5919

"Jiang Nan Yi International Youth Hostel is located in the Sweet
Osmanthus in Manjuelong Village - one of the New Ten Scenic Views of
West Lake in Hangzhou, the city renowned as "Earthly Paradise."

2) Hangzhou Youth Hostel 

http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=987
No. 101 Nan Shan Road, HangZhou, ZheJiang 310002
Phone: 86-571-87918948
Online booking available
Prices:
Four-bed Dormitory US$6 
includes "cookroom"

3) Hangzhou Xinyu Youth Hostel
21 Shangcheng District, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China 
Book by phone
price: 7-22 USD
Phone: +86 571 872 448 88 
Fax: +86 571 872 380 88 

4) Hangzhou Liuyang Hotel
http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=365

Online booking available
Price:
Standard Twin Room US$25 


Shanghai:

1) Pudong Airport Jinjiang Inn in Shanghai, China, Asia  Add to Wishlist  
8 QiHang Road Pudong International Airport
http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HostelNumber.2096

Price: 2 Bed Private Ensuite 16.60 USD
online booking available
"This JinJiang Inn consists of various type of rooms which are
equipped with air-conditioning, shower room, television and telephone,
ect., meeting room, bar, business center, fitness room and
entertainment facilities such as billiards, ping-pong, chess and
poker. There are snacks, restaurant, parking lot and ticket booking,
reservation service as well."

2) Hu Jiang Hotel in Shanghai, China,
No. 518, Qin Zhou Lu, Xu Hui Qu 

http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HostelNumber.6212 
2 Bed Private Ensuite 18.25 USD
Online booking

"Newly opened in 2003, Hu Jiang Hotel is a 2-star property located in
the district of Xu Jia Hui, opposite the Shanghai Everbright
Exhibition Centre."

3) Shanghai Sheng Xian Ju Hotel in Shanghai, China, 
1032 Zhongxing Lu,  
3 Bed Private Ensuite 16.37 
Online booking

http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HostelNumber.6525
"The Sheng Xian Ju Hotel (Shen Xian Ju Bin Guan) is conveniently
located only 10 minutes walking away from Shanghai Railway Station
(Xin Ke Zhan), and the Nanjing pedestrianised shopping Area also
nearby."

4) Astor House
15 Huangpu Road Shanghai,China  ZIP?200080 TEL:008621-63246388
wjm@pujianghotel.com
7 USD per night - dormitory

5) Captain Hostel, Shanghai, 
No. 37 Fuzhou Road 

http://www.hostels.com/en/availability.php/HostelNumber.1891
online booking
Prices:
Twin Private Ensuite 23.92 
-guest kitchen

5) Shanghai Conservatory of Music Guest House (from comment below)
20 Fenyang Lu
Shanghai
Tel./Fax: 6437 2577


Beijing:

1) Saga International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China
http://www.hostelsweb.com/hostelsweb.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.1024
online booking
Prices;
Twin Private Ensuite 11.33 
3 Bed Private Ensuite 9.44 
4 Bed Female Dorm 7.55 
4 Bed Male Dorm 7.55 
5 Bed Female Dorm 6.29 
8 Bed Mixed Dorm 6.29 
10 Bed Mixed Dorm 5.66 
16 Bed Mixed Dorm 5.04 

No,9 Shijia Hutong, Nanxiaojie,
Dongcheng District,
Beijing,
China 

"Beijing Saga International Youth Hostel 'Accommodation in the Heart
of downtown Beijing'."

2)   Beijing Xindadu International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China 
http://www.hostelsweb.com/hostelsweb.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.6296

online booking
Prices:
Twin Private 10.07 
4 Bed Mixed Dorm 7.55 
6 Bed Mixed Dorm 6.29 

No. 21 Che Gong Zhuang Road,
Beijing,
China 

"Newly opened on December 15, 2002, the Beijing Xindadu International
Hostel is located in north-west Beijing, in close range to Beijing
University and the Zhongguancun Hi-Tech area."

3) FeiYing International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China 

http://www.hostelsweb.com/hostelsweb.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.2109 
No,10 building, Changchunjie Houjie,
Xuanwe District,Beijing 100053,
Beijing,
China 

online booking
Prices:
Twin Private Ensuite 10.57 
3 Bed Private Ensuite 9.44 
5 Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite 6.29 
10 Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite 4.15 

4) Beijing Fenglong International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China 
  
http://www.hostelsweb.com/hostelsweb.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.5832
No.5 You'anmen.Dongjie,
Xuanwu District,
Beijing,
China 
online booking
Prices:
3 Bed Mixed Dorm 6.29 
3 Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite 10.07 
6 Bed Mixed Dorm 3.78 

5) Beijing Huadu Hotel, Beijing, China 

http://www.hostelsweb.com/hostelsweb.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.6597
No. 28, Wang Zhi Ma Hu Tong,,
Dong Cheng District,
Beijing,
China 
online booking
Prices:
Twin Private Ensuite 9.44 

Google Search Terms Used

China hostel
-narrowing terms
Hangzhou
Shanghai
Beijing 
housing
dormitory

Thanks again for the question. I'll follow up soon- hopefully with
some additional information. Please let me know if you need any
clarification of this response.

Regards,
Anthony (adiloren-ga)

---

Clarification of Answer by adiloren-ga on 19 May 2004 15:00 PDT

sorry- my first paragraph above was cut off. The end should read: I'm
also going to contact a chinese friend of mine and see if she can help
translate a few websites for me and make some calls.

I'll follow up soon.

Cheers,
Anthony

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mmussel3-ga on 19 May 2004 15:40 PDT

Anthony -- thanks so much for your answers. This is very much the kind
of information that I've been seeking, and you've done well at meeting
my requirements.

Please do forward along any further information you get by means of your friend.

This is very helpful.

Matt

---

Clarification of Answer by adiloren-ga on 22 May 2004 11:59 PDT

Matt,
I tracked down a few more places in Beijing and Shanghai. Here is what I've found:

Beijing:

Beijing Far East International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China
http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/triple1.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.1325/PHPSESSID.ovmqa01fcgd6vrwjvhlpg36s5c92qlfx
Online booking available
Prices:
"Twin Private  	11.33
Twin Private Ensuite 	13.85
3 Bed Private Ensuite 	10.70
4 Bed Private Ensuite 	10.07
6 Bed Mixed Dorm 	7.55

Available Beds
Date 	Shared 	Private
Sun Jun 6th 		
Mon Jun 7th 		
Tue Jun 8th" 

Includes-
"- washing machine
- self-service kitchen
- Chinese traditional meeting room
- bicycle rental
- internet access"
and
"- small shop
- resturant/English menu
- nice courtyard"

Yao Xin Hotel, Beijing, China
http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/triple1.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.2042/PHPSESSID.ovmqa01fcgd6vrwjvhlpg36s5c92qlfx
Online booking
Prices:
"Double Bed Private  	10.00
Twin Private 	10.00
Twin Private Ensuite 	From 10.00

Available Beds
Date 	Private
Sun Jun 6th 	
Mon Jun 7th 	
Tue Jun 8th"

Beijing Gongti International Youth Hostel, Beijing, China
http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/triple1.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.4732/PHPSESSID.ovmqa01fcgd6vrwjvhlpg36s5c92qlfx

"Twin Private  	8.81
4 Bed Female Dorm 	5.67
4 Bed Male Dorm 	5.67
4 Bed Mixed Dorm 	5.67"

--Includes a "guest kitchen"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shanghai:

Shanghai Railway Hotel, Shanghai, China
http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/triple1.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.3419/PHPSESSID.ovmqa01fcgd6vrwjvhlpg36s5c92qlfx
Online booking
Prices:
"Twin Private Ensuite  	From 18.25"

Shanghai Sheng Xian Ju Hotel, Shanghai, China
http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/triple1.com/hosteldetails.php/HostelNumber.6525/PHPSESSID.ovmqa01fcgd6vrwjvhlpg36s5c92qlfx
Online booking
Prices:
"Twin Private Ensuite  	20.14
3 Bed Private Ensuite 	16.37"
-------------------------------------------

I think I've about exhuasted my resources on this one. I really hope
these work out for you. At least you'll have some options. Most seemed
to be generally available through your time of stay. Have a great
trip! Wish I could go too! Good luck and thanks again for the
question.
Cheers,
Anthony

---

Clarification of Answer by adiloren-ga on 28 May 2004 22:25 PDT

I hope you are able to get my earlier clarification before your trip.
If not, I hope what I provided works out well and that you both have a
great time.

Cheers,
Anthony

I am baffled as to why yiou have not recieved a comprehensive
response. You have  easily matched the cost of such research with the
quality of response one should expect but still no response. I asked a
similar question relating to  certain parts of Germany other than the
capital and although I paid much less got excellent respones that I
actually used having recieved answer in less than two days and was
able to log onto website of hotel provided from answer immediatly and 
therefore had room booked directly from GA response in same 48 hours.

mmussel3,

Please don't let that comment worry, or get you down. There are a lot
of us reseachers, and a lot of questions ou there. I'm sure someone
will be along to help you as soon as they have your answer. Hope this
eases any discomfort caused with the other comment, if it occured.

Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Here are a few thoughts while you're waiting for an official answer.

This may take care of your Beijing needs. Do an availability search on
Beijing and you'll find more than 4 places that appear to meet your
requirements.  You can book online.  This site has some places in
Shanghai too but those run a bit over your limit.  You might consider
booking cheaper accomodations in Beijing, more expensive ones in
Shanghai, and averaging it out to $10-15 per night:
http://www.hostelsweb.com/countries/china.html

An old Shanghai backpackers' favorite with dorm accomodations for US
$7: http://www.pujianghotel.com/e-index.htm

Maybe others will buzz in with more Shanghai options.

And finally, a couple of places in Hangzhou:
http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=764
http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=987

Cheers,
Carl

I'm living in Shanghai and only aware of two dormitories that would
meet your financial requirements, the already mentioned Pujiang Hotel
and the Shanghai Conservatory:
Shanghai Conservatory of Music Guest House
20 Fenyang Lu
Shanghai
Tel./Fax: 6437 2577

Other accomodation, also at universities would be around 40-50 USD per night.