For those attracted to China and the experience of a gargantuan city, we’ve collected the best hostels in Shanghai for you.
Home of the famous Bund waterfront, modern Chinese culture and gorgeous design hostels.
Believe it or not, Shanghai’s population exceeds that of Beijing by over 3 million people!
Yet there is also peace and quiet to be found in such a crazy busy part of the world.
The hostels here are surprisingly modern, cosy and offer homely amenities. Keep scrolling to discover the best in Shanghai!
Your shortcut:
- Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel – cool for older travelers
- WeFlow Hostel – ideal for female solo travellers
- Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel – perfect for couples
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As you’ll notice; names of Shanghai hostels are rather long – it suits the size of this city well.
Get ready for cheap hostels, backpackers hostels, top place for solo travellers and couples.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
We’ve included an extra section with a collection of great Shanghai youth hostels, too.
No trip to China is complete without visiting the best hostels in Beijing – an insider guide.
Why not also check out the 27 best hostels in Taiwan whilst you’re at it.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Shanghai
- best hostels in Shanghai for solo travellers
- youth hostels in Shanghai
- more hostels worth a mention
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- Flights
- FAQ
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Shanghai
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Shanghai cost 6€ – 10€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 24€ up to 40€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Chinese-Only Hostels: Be aware that some hostels in Shanghai only allow Chinese citizens to stay. It’s not always obvious, so make sure you read the description before booking. Dengba Hostel Shanghai is a good example and does not allow foreigners to stay.
Shanghai Party Hostels? This is not really a thing in Shanghai. Yet, there are always good bars and clubs to go to for a good time. Skip to Shanghai Le Tour Traveler’s Rest Youth Hostel – a good hostel with a bar, close to nightlife.
Blue Mountain Youth Hostel has a hostel bar that is open 7 days a week, though it isn’t strictly a party hostel.
Nanjing Hostels: Don’t get confused – Nanjing Road is in Shanghai, yet Nanjing is a seperate city around 3.5 hours from Shanghai.
Single-gender Dorms: One super cool thing about Shanghai is that most hostels offer female-only AND male-only dorms. All of our top 3 hostels offer this.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Shanghai
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Shanghai.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | WeFlow Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | WeFlow Hostel |
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
1. Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel
Don’t you just love the name of this hostel?! It’s a good start, for sure.
We really enjoy the overall vibe at Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel, which is why we’ve chosen this as our #1 in the list.
Without doubt (and quite obviously) the best place to hang out here is the awesome garden and terrace.
It’s a really quirky space with lots of little hidden areas for private conversations and flirting. Here it’s possible to chat, work, read or simple relax and take in all of the surrounding sounds.
Freebies include: movies to watch, books to read, laundry, drinking water & luggage storage.
Oh, and reception is open 24/7 which is an absolute bonus!
How about the rooms? Well, there are 7 double private rooms and 15 dorms in total – all with an ensuite!
We love that they’ve decided to keep the dorms on the smaller size, with just 6 and 8-bed options. This includes a female dorm.
Previous travellers have described this hostel as “an oasis in a bustling, noisy city“. Sounds good, right? Pick this hostel if you think you’ll be in need of some retreat from the city life.
Location: In the most central area of Shanghai, just 10-minutes walk from two of the main metro stations (line 4 and line 2 which connects to the International Airport). It is around 15 mins to go to riverside on foot and less than half an hour to walk to Lujiazui.
This is one of the best hostels in Shanghai for
- Backpackers
- Adults / Older travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. WeFlow Hostel
Next up is a relatively new hostel that’s super modern with all of the latest hardware and facilities. Let’s give WeFlow Hostel a warm introduction as we step inside and have a look around.
The hip and minimalist design is ideal for female solo travellers, and it certainly helps that there are female-only dorms with super cute privacy-led beds!
Oh yes, the rooms here are set to impress.
First off, you enter using the keycard access which is super secure, and then you get to pick a bed of your choice which comes with:
- Slide down shutter
- Shelf space
- Mirror and/or little window
- Reading light
- Personal password box (for your valuables)
When you’re not snoozing peacefully, make sure you check out the cool communal spaces, too.
Down in the reception area there is a wonderful space set up to bring people together. It’s a big, bright area with plenty of seating, books and views out onto the street.
It’s certainly a good spot to get your work done if you have a laptop, or strike up a conversation with a friendly staff member.
Location: Located in the inner ring of Shanghai, near Hongkou Football Stadium. Just around the corner you will find plenty of bus routes that take you to the airport and railway station.
This is one of the best hostels in Shanghai for
- Female solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel
The staff at Meego Youth Hotel love to
“Share freedom with causal simplicity within an affordable accommodation.”
Make sure the name itself doesn’t confuse or put you off – it is hotel design, with hostel rooms and shared spaces.
In fact, the rooms are certainly the highlight of this place.
There are many options including:
- 4-6 bed female dorms
- 4-bed male dorm
- 3-4 bed family rooms (with bathroom)
- Single, twin & double private
- Deluxe suite (4 people)
This is where the hotel style and modern touch really stand out.
All of the bunks come with a shelf and locker right next to the bed – fancy!
There’s also a TV, sofa, individual curtains and air-conditioning in each room so that you have plenty of opportunity to spread out and enjoy some privacy.
Great: check in is available 24 hours a day!
Downstairs there is a lounge area with plenty of seating and a drinks fridge and free water dispenser.
It’s a good spot for doing some work and having a chat with staff or other travellers.
Location: In the downtown area of Jing’an, not far from East Nanjing metro. There are some great food and coffee places a minute walk away, as well as shopping malls and theatres.
This is one of the best hostels in Shanghai for
- Couples
- Families
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Shanghai?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels – forget hotels.
Yet we think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there or get too obsessed with a cheap Shanghai attitude.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Shanghai.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Shanghai
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Shanghai for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Shanghai for solo-travellers?
Your answer to solo travel Shanghai lay within the following two hostels.
For the adventurous ladies travelling solo, we recommend booking your stay at Ruijin Garden Apartment. The female dorms are cosy and the apartment is run by a lovely woman named Sherry who can help settle you in to the city.
For sociable solo travellers, Blue Mountain International Youth Hostel (let’s call it blue backpackers hostel for short) is a good choice. There is a bar, pool table and other shared spaces ideal for meeting new people.
More Youth Hostels in Shanghai
For some reason, Shanghai loves youth hostels. The two words are often added to the end of the hostel name.
Yet it doesn’t always mean they are good only for young people. Be aware of that.
It’s always worth having a proper look before you discard it as being a hostel full of crazy party kids.
Check out the collection below and find your preferred youth hostel Shanghai offers:
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations and to check availability.
Hostelworld is the most popular website when it comes to hostel bookings.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
On both platforms your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- WeFlow Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Shanghai Meego Qingwen Hotel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Shanghai best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Shanghai I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
Our Favorite Hostels in Shanghai put on a map + sights
This is your complete guide to the best of Shanghai.
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Shanghai hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
Are you asking yourself what are the best places to visit in Shanghai?
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- The Bund
- Yu Garden
- Oriental Pearl TV Tower
- Nanjing Road
- Tianzifang
- People’s Square
Any questions about hostels in Shanghai? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Shanghai?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
What are the best neighborhoods in Shanghai?
The Bund is the obvious choice, with awesome views and close proximity to the Huangpu river.
Otherwise, Century Park, Jing’an and the Old Town are good areas to stay.
What is the best hostel in Shanghai China?
Skip back to the beginning and discover why we think Shanghai Hidden Garden Youth Hostel is the BEST hostel in all of Shanghai.
What are the best places to stay in Shanghai?
We’re going to say Shanghai hostels. There are 3 top hostels in this guide to explore. Otherwise, you could consider staying at an Airbnb. Entire apartments are seriously cheap!
Where is the best hidden bar in Shanghai?
Why stop at one option? Here’s 9 Hidden Bars in Shanghai worth visiting, written by a cool Shanghai blogger!
Which district in Shanghai is the best place to stay for your first trip to the area?
Definitely go with staying as close as possible to The Bund. It’s the main attraction and from here it’s easy to reach all other areas of the city using the metro service – cheap, reliable and certainly an adventure.
What should I do in Shanghai?
Good question! Hop back to our handy map and discover the top things to do in the city.
More Guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Shanghai.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Seoul, South Korea
- 58 best hostels in Japan + 5 Star Hostels
- best hostels in Hong Kong
- best hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal
- Best Hostels in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- best hostels in Chengdu, China
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Shanghai hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
Have fun and safe travels!
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pin it for later
Update: The hostels below used to be in our top 3 but unfortunately they have permanently closed their doors.
CLOSED: Ruijin Garden Apartment
First up is a beautiful modern hostel ideal for female solo travellers.
Ruijin Garden Apartment is exactly that; an apartment.
The lovely Sherry lives here, and will welcome you with open arms to a well-thought out space for travellers from around the world.
It truly feels like a home-away-from-home, probably because it actually is someone’s home!
Instead of big, crowded rooms, there are smaller dorm options here including:
- 4-bed male dorm
- 4-bed female dorm
- 4-bed mixed dorm
And they’re so spacious!
Air conditioning and a small desk is in each room, plus a plug socket by each bed. For security, store your things in one of the big lockers.
Other than that, you’ll find some beautiful chilled shared spaces in the apartment.
The kitchen and living room are connected, creating a big and bright area.
It’s ideal if you fancy chilling with a coffee and book. Or getting to know new friends!
Tucked away is a cosy workspace slash reading corner – our favourite part of the entire place.
Otherwise, kick off your shoes and watch TV in the lounge or in your room. No one will judge you.
Location: Just 700m from Tian Zi Fang and very close to a handy metro station. The metro can take you to all major places in the city, fast!
CLOSED: Blue Mountain Youth Hostel – Luwan
Blue Mountain LuWan Youth Hostel, as it is also known, is the ideal hostel for immersing in local culture.
That’s because it stands to be in a great location worth exploring on foot.
All you have to do is walk out the door and remember you’re in China!
Here are some things to enjoy during your stay:
- Hostel bar (7 days a week)
- Cosy fireplace
- Common area w/ books, darts, movies
- Free WiFi
- Pool table
Arriving super late or early? Don’t fret; they offer 24 hour check in here!
As for rooms, we were quite surprised at the amount of choice.
There are dorms with 4, 6 and 8-beds.
The twist is that both men and women are separated in to single-gender rooms, unless of course you book a private room.
Though the rooms are simple, there are curtains in some of the dorms.
Note: there is a kitchen, though basic.
Private rooms include standard twin, double, triple and a family room for up to 5 people.
It’s no surprise that the staff are friendly and knowledgeable – Chinese culture is so accommodating and helpful.
Location: Across the street from Luban Road metro and surrounded by plenty of street food vendors and shops. There is also a lovely riverside park nearby.
