Far West China

Location

It used to be that the Turpan JiaoTong Hotel was perfectly located next to the city bus station, but ever since the Turpan bus station was relocated in early 2014, that is no longer the case.

Still, the hotel is just a short walk from the bus station and, in my opinion, is still one of the best budget lodging options. The hotel has been renovated and looks great both inside and out. Nearby you’ll find the Bank of China, Xinhua Bookstore, and numerous restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Pro Tip: the south side of the hotel faces the bazaar, which is a lot of fun but can also be very noisy. If you want quiet, request a room on the north side of the hotel which opens out into a quiet, deserted parking lot.

Atmosphere

There’s nothing spectacular about the Turpan Jiaotong Hotel, it’s best to describe this as your typical 3-star Chinese hotel. And that’s not a bad thing, either.

The lobby is nice but not ornate. The staff was friendly and tend to be helpful to travelers. Breakfast is included, although it’s the typical Chinese breakfast that includes boiled eggs, mantou, and some spicy dishes. Still, it’s free so why complain?

What’s great about the Jiaotong is that the moment you step outside the hotel you’re greeted by the bustling Turpan city life including the Uyghur bazaar across the street which is a lot of fun to wander around.

Room Options

The rooms exceeded my expectations, especially considering the low price. Bathrooms were clean and the bed was comfortable. They have different-sized rooms that are priced accordingly so don’t be ashamed to ask to see some rooms before you move in.

The only downside is that they don’t offer wi-fi in the rooms. There was free wi-fi in the lobby, but that’s it.

They offer standard rooms, deluxe rooms and even some suites, all of which are some of the lowest-priced available in the city.