We spent an amazing week in Nanjing. The former capital of China has it all: a fascinating culture, splendid nature, temples, museums, superb historic architecture, contemporary masterpieces, delicious food, warm hosts, and great hotels. The city is big so choosing the right place to stay is essential.
Since we are obsessed with hotels we moved a couple of times. That allowed us to explore the city thoroughly and to prepare this list with our favorite hotels. As you will see, Nanjing has hotels for all tastes and budgets. We are convinced that you will love the city as much as we do!
City Center – Xinjiekou
We are convinced that the city center is the best area to stay in Nanjing. Locals call it Xinjiekou. We walked to a lot of places and could come back fast when we got tired. The city’s main metro station is here. You can go everywhere in no time. At nights, we took inexpensive taxis.
The government created what was known as China’s Wall Street in the 1930s. You will see elegant architecture from that period, such as the Dahua Grand Theatre from 1934 and the Central News Agency from 1948. Today, Xinjiekou features futuristic tall towers, lots of shopping centers, and delicious restaurants.
We Recommend These Hotels in the City Center:
Sheraton Nanjing Kingsley Hotel & Towers
Our favorite hotel in Nanjing is the Sheraton Nanjing Kingsley Hotel & Towers. Built in 1998, the 41-story tower sits in the heart of the district. The rooms are huge and comfortable. We got an upgrade to a suite and could see the entire city. The hotel has a pool and a spa with a sauna and a hot tub.
Jinling Hotel
The iconic Jinling Hotel was the tallest building in China until 1985. Jinling is the colloquial name of Nanjing. The luxurious tower became the symbol of modern China. Today, the hotel has an additional tower completed in 2013. The super comfy rooms offer great views. There’s a big indoor pool, a spa, and 6 restaurants!
Near Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake is the green heart of the city. The lake is next to Nanjing’s Railway station and is served by metro line 1. You can go everywhere fast. We liked it because it’s quiet. It’s also a great place to mingle with the locals who visit the park to exercise and socialize.
The lake’s history goes back 1500 years. You can see sections of the city wall dating 600 years. The access gates are amazing. The lake has a 9-mile (14.5 km) shore line and 5 islands connected with bridges. There are pagodas, temples, tea houses, restaurants and all types of plants.
We Recommend These Hotels near Xuanwu Lake:
InterContinental Nanjing by IHG
The InterContinental Nanjing occupies the top floors of the tallest building in the city, Zifeng Tower. Thus, it offers jaw dropping views. The hotel is next to Gulou Metro Station. It has an indoor and outdoor pool and a full-size spa. The bar and restaurant on the 78th floor will leave you speechless.Â
Ascott Xuanwu Lake Nanjing
The Ascott Xuanwu Lake Nanjing is perfect for friends and families. All of the hotel’s studios and apartments have a kitchen, living room, and washing machine. The tall tower is 600 feet (180 meters) from Xinmofan Road Metro Station. It has a pool, lounge, gym, children’s center, and supermarket.
Near Confucius Temple
Confucious Temple is some 4 miles (6.5 km) south of the center on the shore of Qinhuai River. The original temple from 1034 was burned to the ground in 1937 by the Japanese. Fully rebuilt to its former glory it is now a complex with several pavilions in the Ming and Qing styles and pedestrian streets.
The area is gorgeous and super popular amongst the locals. You have to visit the Dacheng Hall, the China Imperial Examination Museum and the temple itself. There are all types of eateries, tea houses, bars, and shops. Metro Station Fuzimiao (Confucious Temple) connects you to the entire city.
We Recommend These Hotels near Confucius Temple:
SSAW Boutique Hotel Nanjing Grand Theater
The SSAW Boutique Hotel Nanjing is next to Confucious Temple. The building is a modern take on Chinese architecture. The rooms are huge and feature extra comfy beds and wooden floors. We loved the terrace and garden overlooking the neighborhood. It has a gym and a top-notch restaurant.
Manxin Hotel Nanjing Confucius Temple Scenic Area
The Manxin Hotel Nanjing Confucius Temple Scenic Area is next to a metro station and near the museum. The hotel has a washing and drying machine, a restaurant, a bar, and a terrace with nice views. The rooms are big and clean.
How Many Days in Nanjing
We stayed a week in Nanjing and managed to see just about everything. However, we could have stayed for much longer. Though Nanjing is a thriving metropolis, we liked its relaxed and easy-going vibe. There weren’t many foreign tourists, so it felt authentic.
We believe you need at least 3 days to cover the basics. Two will be spent in the city visiting the city proper including Confucious Temple and the lake. On your third day, go to Sun Sun Yat Set Memorial and the Ming Xiao Tombs. If you have an extra day, go to Qixia Mountain.
