Where to stay in Nanjing
Written by China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Research basis: Editor research, fact-checked, last verified 2026-09-29 · Prices are tiers, not quotes — live rates on Trip.com · double-check = reconfirm foreigner booking before paying
The short answer
Xinjiekou / Confucius Temple (新街口 / 夫子庙) is the default first-timer base. Six dynasties of capital: the Republican-era Presidential Palace, the solemn Nanjing Massacre Memorial, free Zhongshan Mausoleum on tree-lined Purple Mountain - and a duck-obsessed food scene (salted duck, duck-blood vermicelli soup).
Xinjiekou / Confucius Temple 新街口 / 夫子庙
| Hotel | Tier | Why it works | The honest trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinling Hotel Nanjing南京金陵饭店 Line 1/2 Xinjiekou | ¥600-1000 | Nanjing's signature hotel (opened 1983, once China's tallest) - irreplaceable location, seasoned service | some wings dated; on the pricey side |
| Shangri-La Hotel Nanjing南京香格里拉大酒店 Line 1 Xuanwumen | ¥1000+ | Shangri-La flag, lake views and family-friendly, easy Xuanwu Lake walks | a little beyond Xinjiekou core; pricey |
| Fairmont Nanjing南京金奥费尔蒙酒店 Line 2 Yuantong / Line 10 | ¥1000+ double-check | Fairmont flag, Hexi new-town landmark with river and city views | far from the old town (30 min across town/river); English name TBC |
| Atour Hotel Nanjing Confucius Temple南京夫子庙附近全季/亚朵（如 亚朵酒店 南京夫子庙） Line 3 Confucius Temple / Wudingmen | Under ¥600 double-check | well-located mid-ranger with solid design - easiest base for Qinhuai nights and street snacks | exact branch TBC; old-town rooms run small |
Purple Mountain / Xuanwu 紫金山 / 玄武湖
| Hotel | Tier | Why it works | The honest trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanjing Zhongshan Hotel南京钟山宾馆（江苏省会议中心） Line 2 Ming Palace | Under ¥600 double-check | converted heritage building, very close to Nanjing Museum and the Ming Palace | English name TBC; government-hostel styling |
| Nanjing Purple Mountain Manor南京紫金山庄 Line 2 Muxuyuan + short shuttle | ¥1000+ double-check | garden resort tucked into Purple Mountain; quiet and upscale | a walk from metro, car-dependent; top rates |
Hexi / Jiangdong 河西 / 江东
| Hotel | Tier | Why it works | The honest trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Nanjing南京卓美亚酒店 Line 2 Yuantong | ¥1000+ double-check | Jumeirah flag, landmark tower floors, river-view luxury | name/branch TBC; far from the old town |
Who should not stay where
- Xinjiekou or the Xinjiekou-adjacent blocks keep everything on Line 1/2; Hexi is business-quiet and a river crossing from the old town.
- Families favor the Xuanwu Lake edge for morning walks; partiers the 1912 block.
Some links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — prices and availability are shown live on Trip.com.