Downtown Backpacker's Hostel

I found this place a great hostel to stay in. It's a tiny little place tucked away in one of Beijing's hutongs, but the rooms are bright and airy, and there's a really friendly atmosphere. There were a wide range of travellers staying here from all round the globe, and the staff were very welcoming. Their English wasn't the best, but I speak no Mandarin and managed to sort everything out.

The location in Nanluoguxiang is great as it's one of the livelier hutongs in Beijing, full of quirky bars and shops, and just a few minutes walk to Houhai lake. It's also only a few minutes walk to the nearest subway station to get into the centre of the city.