Panba Courtyard Guesthouse and Hostel Reviews

My trip to Lijiang was largely unplanned. I had simply booked a 4 night stay at the Panba hostel and began from there. Upon arriving after checking into my room I spent a good 30 minutes with the lovely people behind the desk. Eventually I decided to take a 3 day trip to Lugu lake & with the amazing help from the hostel they helped me to book taxi's at 7am, buy bus tickets over the phone and book a hostel (in dragon boat festival which is virtually impossible!). The hostel itself is very clean

Very friendly managers and other staff members. Easy to get taxis to the train station and catch the city buses No. 2 and 13, just one yuan to go to the city''s heart. Good food and shopping near the hostel. Hostel should advise the "bread " van drivers not to charge tourists 10 yuan per person to go back to Liqiang from Shuhe and it costs only 2 yuan to go from Liqiang to Shuhe.

A great hostel with wonderfully warm and friendly staff. The hostel is located in a quiet part of the old town. The simplest way to get there: Find your way to Sifang Square. If you arrive in a square and see KFC and McDonald's then you are actually in Yuhe Square - Sifang Square is a short walk down Dongda Street. At the lower end of Sifang Square there are two streets, take the one on the left (Wuyi Street). Continue down this street until you reach Panba Hostel on the left.

this hostel is far from the Lijiang Train Station and hard to locate/find this hostel. it was very dark when I arrived. not much light on the way there. I can hear noises from the Elementary School early in the morning. There are many hostels around which is far better than Panba Hostel.

It was definitely perfect place. I strongly recommend to others. Really nice atmosphere, staff so so helpful, with so many advice what to do and where to go. And the hostel dinners were absolutely amazing. So simply go there.

Nice, helpfull staff, daily transportation to the Tiger Leping Gorge, pleasant atmosphere!

As an English speaking traveler in China this hostel made it very easy to locate with web info. The hostel it's self was very near (an easy 5 min. walk) to all the activities but not in the middle of all the fray. Staff was spectacular in arranging all activities, bookings, train tickets, take away lunches, everything. The hostel its self is a clean 3 story building, nicely layed out with a quaint center courtyard. Good cafe and bar area. Overall, I highly recommend this hostel.

This is my second time at the hostel and it is my first choice in Lijiang. A great staff and a good atmosphere. With the addition of a full bar, it is a like an alcoholic traveller's dream come true. The only problem is actually getting to the hostel. I showed the address to several cab drivers and they refused to take me. Lijiang cabdrivers are real a**holes. The hostel should provide directions of how to get there by bus or walking.

It is more comfortable when WiFi in dorm bed is stronger. I enjoyed very much, thank you.

Great staff. friendly and helpful and they are helpful in arranging transportation to tiger leaping gorge. food cooked here is better than any touristy restaurant. Internet is spotty tho.

Panba hostel is definitely among the best hostel that I ever stayed, the stuffs there were superb. Especially thanks go to River and Richard :D

Excellent place. Would stay again. Very helpful staff. Staff had good information. Would send others. Lowest cost for a hostel to buy your train and bus tickets. Robert Wilkinson

The guys who run the hostel are great! They are so helpful and nice. They help you with everything you ask them. They make the stay very comfortable. The rooms are nice and spacious. The food is nice and the location great. I would love to stay here another time.

This is a nice hostel with decent (private) rooms in a fantastic location with great staff and pleasant surrounds (in particular, a nice courtyard and rooftop chill-out area). However there are several little things that could be done to improve the place... the hot water is never more than warm, there is no soap in either the private ensuite or communal bathrooms, our rooms were not cleaned (and toilet paper etc. not replaced) during our three night stay and food was not always available.

Panba's management and staff is what makes our stay at the hotel so pleasant, memorable and fun. The manager and their staff are passionate, honest, very helpful and friendly, and they speak English. Food is good and reasonable. The twin bed rooms are spacious, and the attached bathroom is as good as any average hotel. Panba does make a holiday into an unforgettable emotive experience.

I have not stayed at a hostel in a very long time. I was hesitant at first but did not want to say No to my friend. The thing I liked best about Panba is the people who run it. The owner and staff are so passionate about what they do; they are knowledgeable and sincere in their recommendations of what to do and see in Lijiang and surrounding areas. They are just thoroughly friendly, decent and warm hosts! Panba is also physically quaint and charming, with local design touches. Great place!

Absolutely great. One of the most helpful staff I have ever experienced. Thanks for making our trip easier, you are the best! Rubén

The hostel was awesome! Made the trip to Lijiang worthwhile! The host, Richard was incredibly helpful and welcoming.

I'll definitely recommend this hostel if you come from foreign country. There is everything you want. Don't hesitate to choose it.

As is mentioned elsewhere, the Panba staff are friendly, speak English well (still rare in this part of China), and are very eager to make your stay in Lijiang smooth and fulfilling. They recommended a typical local restaurant, the 88, our first night there, got bus tickets for our onward journey, and served their clients pleasantly and cheerfully. I wished we could have stayed longer.