Fun, friendly and the cheapest of the cheap, hard-core budget travellers love this place. Others should suss out a few rooms before checking in. Several house bathrooms of advanced grittiness and wall-stains of distracting proportions. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Newly opened outside the city walls by this Dàli longtimer, rooms inside this hotel are heaped with antique Chinese-style furniture. They manage to be both sleek and cosy at the same time. There's a garden, a roof-top terrace and restaurant and bar below. Travel services and tour… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

If you want the original Jim's, Jim's Tibetan Guesthouse is still going strong. Travel services and tours can be booked here. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Not much like it in town. Along with loads of extras, each room was designed by local artists and it shows - let's call it funky chic. You'll find a handful of other extras and attitude - of the good sort - to spare. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Phenomenal value accommodation set around a garden filled with ponds and lush plants. Third floor singles are cute as a button with eccentric, slope-roofed bathrooms and stunning lake views. Dorms and doubles turn up surprises like wall art, hardwood floors or antique-style furni… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A hugely kind staff helm some of the nicest budget accommodation in town. New wooden furniture fills the rooms with a pleasant pine-like smell and each bunk has individual lights and a bamboo curtain for privacy. Showers and Western-style toilets are immaculate. Full Lonely Planet Review ›