Han Tang Inn Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Han Tang Inn is a legendary international hostel that's been going nearly 20 years, with a rooftop garden and free activities every night — score 9.0.
Han Tang Inn is a legendary international hostel that's been going nearly 20 years, with a rooftop garden and free activities every night — score 9.0.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Han Tang Inn Hostel sits in a 4-floor building that blends timberwork with a Chinese courtyard. Rooms face the courtyard, which has trees and stone tables, and there's a rooftop garden that looks out over old roof tiles and the city wall in the distance — quiet in the mornings. The rooms themselves are simple and hostel-style, so set your expectations there rather than at a private hotel.
Food and amenities
The common areas do a lot of work here. There's a tea room serving pu'er, a cafe with drip coffee from about $2.50, a bar pouring local Xi'an craft beer from around $3.50, and a Western kitchen open 24 hours where a pizza runs about $6 and pasta about $5. Free activities run every evening — movie nights with Chinese and Western films, dumpling-making, Chinese language and calligraphy lessons, and a Muslim Quarter pub crawl — plus free welcome drinks and a free breakfast of congee and bread.
Location and getting there
The hostel is at No. 7 Nanchang Lane inside the old city wall, on an ancient hutong that still keeps the feel of old Xi'an. It's a 5-minute walk to the Bell Tower metro and about 11 minutes to the Muslim Quarter. The team helps arrange tours to the Terracotta Warriors (roughly $31 to $40), Mount Huashan and the Han Yang Ling Tomb.
Things to know before booking
The bar and common areas get lively in the evening, which is part of the appeal but worth knowing if you're a light sleeper. Rooms are simple and hostel-style, so this isn't the pick if you need a lot of privacy. And in high season rooms go fast, so book ahead if your dates are set.
Our take
This is more than a place to sleep — it's a hub for Xi'an's backpacker scene, with nearly 20 years and 400,000+ guests behind it. Staff speak good English, the atmosphere is friendly, and rooms start around $20 a night. We'd send solo travelers and backpackers who want an international crowd here without hesitation — it scores 9.0 from us and 9.6 from real guests.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- An international hostel that's a Xi'an institution, open nearly 20 years and host to more than 400,000 backpackers.
- At No. 7 Nanchang Lane inside the old city wall, a 5-minute walk to the Bell Tower metro and about 11 minutes from the Muslim Quarter.
- A 4-floor building that blends timberwork with a Chinese courtyard, so rooms look onto a planted courtyard with stone tables.
- A rooftop garden, a tea room serving pu'er, a cafe, a bar with local Xi'an craft beer and a 24-hour Western kitchen.
- Free activities every evening, free welcome drinks and a free breakfast, with staff who speak good English.
- Rooms are simple and hostel-style, so this is not the place if you want a lot of privacy.
- The bar and common areas get lively in the evening, which can carry over if you're a light sleeper.
- Rooms fill fast in high season, so book ahead if your dates are fixed.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Xi'an
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Xi'an — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Join the free evening activities — movie nights, dumpling-making, calligraphy and a Muslim Quarter pub crawl — to meet other travelers.
- Head up to the rooftop garden with a cup of tea for views over the old tiles and the city wall.
- Ask the team to arrange a Terracotta Warriors tour, which runs roughly $31 to $40.