Cixi is a county-level city in Zhejiang Province, administered by Ningbo, on the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay. For a visitor, it works as a practical base rather than a monument-heavy destination: you come here for the bridges, the parks and the everyday rhythm of a Chinese city that most foreign travellers pass through rather than stop in. The name is shared with Empress Dowager Cixi, the Manchu noblewoman who controlled the late Qing government from 1861 until her death in 1908; the city and the historical figure are not the same subject.
The accommodation in the source material clusters around a handful of named streets and landmarks rather than a single downtown grid: Xinshi Road, the Hushan area around Qingshaonian Gong Road, Sun Tang North Road, the streets near Zhishan Park, the long-distance bus terminal, and the Hangzhou Bay Bridge out on the bay. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what kind of place you will find at each budget level, and how the geography affects your stay. It does not recommend individual hotels.
Best areas to stay in Cixi
1. The central commercial streets (Xinshi Road)
This is the most convenient base for a first visit. Xinshi Road is where the source material places central accommodation, within reach of shops, restaurants and the main business district, and the listings here range from small budget rooms to mid-range business hotels. If you want to be able to step out of your door and find dinner without arranging transport, this is the area to choose.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone staying only a night or two. The trade-off is that this is a busy, built-up part of town rather than a quiet one.
2. The Hushan area (Qingshaonian Gong Road and its side streets)
Hushan is the district around Qingshaonian Gong Road, where several hotels of different standards sit close together, including business hotels and a number of very cheap guesthouses on the back streets. It is a practical, workaday part of the city with a good spread of price points in a compact area.
It suits budget travellers and anyone who wants choice within a short walk. Note that the cheapest rooms here are basic, and some of the back-street guesthouses are described as rough around the edges, so inspect before committing.
3. The Sun Tang North Road corridor
Sun Tang North Road is another cluster of accommodation, with several business and mid-range hotels along the same stretch. It is a straightforward place to base yourself if you want a quieter street than the central commercial core while still being within the city rather than out on the edge.
It suits travellers with their own transport or those happy to take short taxi rides to reach the centre. This is a corridor rather than a sightseeing district, so treat it as a place to sleep rather than a place to wander.
4. Near Zhishan Park
The area around Zhishan Park is the most pleasant for a leisure stay. Larger, full-service hotels sit within walking distance of the park, which gives you somewhere green to walk in the mornings or evenings. It is calmer than the commercial centre and better suited to travellers who value a bit of space over proximity to shops.
It suits families and travellers who prefer a slower pace. You will rely on taxis or the bus for the rest of the city.
5. Near the long-distance bus terminal
Staying close to the long-distance bus terminal makes sense if Cixi is a stop on a longer overland route. Hotels in this area are within walking distance of the terminal, which removes the need for a taxi on arrival or departure day.
It suits travellers passing through rather than those settling in. The immediate surroundings are functional rather than attractive.
6. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge area
Out toward the bridge, accommodation is limited but distinctive: there is an offshore platform hotel positioned 1.7 km south of the channel bridge of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, with rooms looking out over the sea. This is a long way from the city centre, so it only makes sense if the bridge itself is the reason for your visit or you are driving through.
It suits drivers and travellers making the bridge a deliberate part of the trip. Expect to depend on a car or taxi for everything, and budget for a substantial taxi fare if you come from the city side.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Small guesthouses and simple hotels, some on the back streets of the Hushan area. Rooms are basic and standards vary, so ask to see the room first. This is the cheapest end of the market by a wide margin.
- Mid-range: Business hotels, including several along Sun Tang North Road and in the central commercial streets. Expect clean, functional rooms, often with a restaurant or entertainment facilities on the lower floors.
- Splurge: Full-service hotels with leisure facilities such as gyms, pools and restaurants, found near Zhishan Park and out toward the bay. These are the largest properties in the city and the ones furthest from the centre.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the central commercial streets around Xinshi Road. It puts you within reach of food, shops and the business district, and it gives you the widest choice of accommodation standards in one place. For a short first stay, that convenience matters more than the quieter settings further out.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to stay near the Hangzhou Bay Bridge to see it?
No. The bridge area has its own accommodation, including an offshore platform hotel with sea views, but it is far from the city centre and a taxi back to the central area costs a significant amount. You can visit the bridge as a day trip from a central base instead.
Which area is best if I am travelling on a tight budget?
The Hushan area around Qingshaonian Gong Road has the cheapest rooms, including small guesthouses on the back streets. Standards are low and some places are described as rough, so check the room before you pay.
Where should I stay if I want a pool or gym?
Look at the larger full-service hotels near Zhishan Park or out toward the bay. These are the properties with leisure facilities such as pools, gyms and restaurants, and they are correspondingly further from the city centre.
Is it worth staying near the long-distance bus terminal?
Only if you are arriving or leaving by long-distance bus. Hotels there are within walking distance of the terminal, which saves a taxi on travel days, but the area itself has little to offer a visitor.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page before you decide.