Forever Young Youth Hostel Changsha
by the TopOfHotel team
Forever Young is a budget hostel with a pink-neon coffee-bar vibe 5 minutes from Nanmenkou metro — the cheapest bed on the list, closing it out at 8.8.
Forever Young is a budget hostel with a pink-neon coffee-bar vibe 5 minutes from Nanmenkou metro — the cheapest bed on the list, closing it out at 8.8.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
We close the list with the cheapest bed on it — Forever Young Youth Hostel Changsha, the place with the pink "Forever Young" neon sign, a tiny reception, friendly staff and coffee drifting over from the bar. It reads more like an evening cafe than a hotel, and real guests score it around 8.8 to 9.5. We took a 6-bed dorm from just $20 a night: pale-wood bunks, a private locker, a firm-but-comfy mattress, clean white linens, and a plug, reading lamp and curtain at every bed. Shared bathrooms are split by gender, spotless, with strong hot water. Want privacy? Private rooms run about 15 sq m at $35 to $50, done in pastel tones with small fresh flowers. Free Wi-Fi is fast and reliable.
Food and amenities
The standout is the big communal lounge — sofas, a shared table, board games and a shelf of travel books, the spot where travelers from all over compare routes. Our first night we met a French backpacker just back from Zhangjiajie and walked away with a pile of tips. There is no on-site restaurant, gym or spa here; what you get instead is a shared kitchen with free coffee and tea, plus luggage storage. The staff speak fluent English and happily map out Yuelu Mountain, Orange Island and the Mawangdui Museum.
Location and getting there
It sits a 5-minute walk from Nanmenkou metro on Line 1, and Wuyi Square is just two stops on. If you would rather walk, it is about 20 minutes on foot to Wuyi Square and the Huangxing Road pedestrian street. Changsha railway station is roughly 4 km away — a Didi runs about ¥15 (around $2). The lanes nearby are full of local restaurants, a night market and cheap street food.
Things to know before booking
This is a hostel, so set expectations accordingly. The dorm beds mean shared rooms and little privacy — fine for backpackers, wrong for anyone wanting quiet. Facilities are basic: no restaurant, gym or spa on site, just the shared kitchen. And it is 4 km from the railway station, so plan on a short metro hop or a $2 Didi when you arrive by train rather than walking it.
Our take
Forever Young Youth Hostel Changsha is the best fit for backpackers, solo travelers and younger guests who want a social, easygoing hostel feel. At $20 to $50 a night it is the cheapest start price in this guide, and the lounge plus genuinely helpful English-speaking staff make it punch well above that. Book a dorm if you want company, a private room if you want a door that locks.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Easygoing backpacker hostel right in downtown Changsha, with a tiny reception, friendly staff and coffee from the in-house bar that makes it feel like an evening cafe.
- Five-minute walk to Nanmenkou metro on Line 1, so Wuyi Square and the rest of the city are two stops away and easy to reach.
- Roughly a 20-minute walk to Wuyi Square and the Huangxing Road pedestrian street if you would rather skip the metro entirely.
- Cute pastel decor with pale-wood bunk beds, private lockers, reading lamps, bed curtains and a large shared lounge for meeting other travelers.
- Staff speak fluent English and give solid trip advice, pointing you to Yuelu Mountain, Orange Island and the Mawangdui Museum.
- Rooms are simple hostel beds — fine for backpackers, but not the place if you want real privacy or quiet.
- Facilities are basic: no on-site restaurant, gym or spa, just a shared kitchen with free coffee and tea.
- It sits about 4 km from Changsha railway station, so you will need a roughly $2 Didi ride or the metro to reach it from the train.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Changsha
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Changsha — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Ask the front desk to map out your itinerary — they speak English and give genuinely good Changsha routes.
- Spend an evening in the communal lounge; it is where backpackers swap tips on Zhangjiajie and the rest of Hunan.
- Walk or take the metro from Nanmenkou straight into Wuyi Square — two stops or about 20 minutes on foot.