Jade Emu International Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Jade Emu is the highest-rated hostel in Dali Ancient Town — bar, cafe and an open yard that turns into the town's real social hub after dark.
Jade Emu is the highest-rated hostel in Dali Ancient Town — bar, cafe and an open yard that turns into the town's real social hub after dark.
In-Depth Review
Jade Emu International Hostel holds the highest score in Dali Ancient Town at 8.8/10 on Agoda, which is striking for a hostel at this price. The social scene among international travelers makes it more than just a bed for the night.
Rooms and decor
You get a choice of 4-to-8-bed dorms or private rooms. The dorms stay clean, beds come with privacy curtains, and there are personal lockers plus tidy shared bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi runs at a decent speed throughout. Most reviews single out the cleanliness and the atmosphere.
Food and amenities
The on-site bar pours beer and cocktails at modest prices, and the cafe serves Yunnan coffee alongside light bites. It's not full hotel dining, but for a hostel it covers what you need without leaving the building.
Location and getting there
You're inside Dali Ancient Town, within walking distance of everything. The shops along Renmin Road are close by, the Three Pagodas are about a 15-minute walk, and cheap local restaurants ring the area. The hostel rents bikes cheaply if you want to ride out to Erhai Lake.
Things to know before booking
The dorms aren't private — fine for backpackers, less so if you want a quiet, sealed-off room. The bar gets loud at night and the sound carries, so early sleepers should book a private room. And remember it's a hostel: shared bathrooms and a light cafe menu rather than hotel-grade amenities.
Our take
For backpackers and budget travelers who want the most central base in town, Jade Emu is hard to beat. The open activity yard works as the real social hub for travelers in Dali, with Happy Hour drinks and staff who help pull together group trips out to Erhai Lake or Cangshan Mountain. If you want quiet, take a private room; if you want company, you've found it.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Scores 8.8/10 — the highest hostel on this list, and it beats several proper hotels in the same area.
- Dorm beds start at about $8 a night, the cheapest pick here by a wide margin.
- Sits inside Dali Ancient Town, so you walk to Renmin Road, the Three Pagodas and the cheap local restaurants without a ride.
- The bar, cafe and open activity yard make it genuinely social — easy to meet other travelers and join group trips out to Erhai Lake or Cangshan.
- Private rooms are available too if you want more quiet, running roughly $17 to $26 a night.
- Dorm rooms aren't private. Beds get privacy curtains and there are personal lockers, but it's still shared sleeping — better suited to backpackers than couples after a quiet night.
- The bar gets loud at night, which can disturb anyone trying to sleep early. If you turn in before the crowd does, book a private room.
- It's a hostel, not a hotel: shared bathrooms and light cafe food rather than full restaurant service or hotel amenities like a pool.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Dali
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Dali — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Book a private room if you want more privacy — they run roughly $17 to $26 a night versus the dorm rate.
- Hit the bar's Happy Hour between 5 and 8 pm for cheaper drinks.
- Ask the front desk about local tours and cycling routes — they steer travelers well and can sort a cheap bike out to Erhai Lake.