Dali Campanula International Youth Hostel

We arrived into Dali at 0610 after the overnight train from Kunming, took the number 8 bus from the train station, which you can't miss because it blocks the entrance to the car park. There are lots of number 8 buses lined up. You'll need to fight with your elbows to get on and it's worth it if you're going to the old town, because the 30 minute drive is better with a seat. The bus is 2 Yuan each. It will drop you at the East Gate of Dali Old City - it's easy to spot, a bunch of people will be getting off there and its a big old Chinese arch. The sun was rising as we walked through the arch and headed straight down the road to the big cross roads, where we turned right. The Campanula is located along this road ( Hongwu Road ) - keep going until you get to the DREAM theatre, the bug huge building on the left hand side. The Hostel is down a side road on the right - literally at the END of the Dream Theatre building. It's about 15 metres down this road on your left. There is a sign on the street, but it's hard to spot. There was a room available so we were able to check in at 7am, which was superb. There are also two washing machines here up on the roof and loads of drying space, washes cost 10 yuan each. There was a power outage while we were washing, so the staff put both machines back on again for us and hung out our washing as we were out when it finished. Comfortable bed (King bed, private bathroom), super hot water shower. No mosquito screens, but they do provide a plug in device, which worked well. Several lounge areas, and there are great views of the lake from the roof. Excellent friendly staff, good room, great to have clean clothes again and good location for the bus to the train station. When you leave and return to the train station, continue along Hongwu road (not back the way you walked in), at the first cross roads turn left and almost immediately there's a bus stop for the number 8 - it will take you less than 5 minutes and it's much quicker than going to the East Gate. Plus it means you get on before everyone else... and ergo, get a seat!