Hotels in Nanjing

Stay near Xuanwu Lake for easy metro access and proximity to the Ming Palace ruins; Xinjiekou (the central CBD) suits business travelers and shoppers; Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple quarter) puts visitors on the Qinhuai River waterfront with dense dining and guesthouses; Gulou offers quieter tree-lined streets near Nanjing University. Most stays run three to four nights; Nanjing Lukou Airport is 35 km south, roughly 40 minutes by metro Line 2.

Where to Stay in Nanjing's Key Districts

Xinjiekou is Nanjing's commercial core — department stores, subway interchange for Lines 1 and 3, and a dense supply of mid-range to 4-star hotels. Fuzimiao anchors the southern Old City along the Qinhuai River, a restored Ming-era waterway lined with lantern-lit restaurants and snack stalls; it suits cultural travelers wanting walkable access to the Confucius Temple and Zhonghua Gate, the largest surviving city gate from the 1366 Ming fortification. Xuanwu Lake district sits northeast of the old city wall and offers lakeside walks plus a short walk to Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan), where the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (1929) stands. Gulou, named for its 1382 Drum Tower, attracts longer-stay visitors and academics near the university corridor.

Getting Around

Nanjing's metro network has 17 lines (as of 2025) covering most attractions. Line 1 connects the railway station to Xinjiekou and Zhonghua Gate. High-speed rail links Nanjing South Station to Shanghai Hongqiao in under 75 minutes and Beijing South in roughly 3.5 hours via G-class trains.

Practical Tips

• Weather: Summers are hot and humid (July averages 32 °C); spring and autumn offer the most comfortable sightseeing conditions.
• Airport: Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) is served by metro Line 2; allow 60 minutes city-center to gate.
• Currency: Cash (CNY) remains widely used at Fuzimiao market stalls; major hotels accept WeChat Pay and UnionPay.
• Language: English signage is limited outside large hotels — download an offline translation app before arriving.