Nanjing, China / Stay somewhere that suits you
Where to stay
in Nanjing
Base yourself in Xinjiekou for a central city break, Gulou for lake-oriented outings, or Qinhuai for evenings around the Confucius Temple district.
Explore the hotel shortlist
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- 3 hotel picks
- 3 areas
- Official sources
01 / Location comes first
Which area should you stay in?
Nanjing's hotel choice is about which part of the city you want outside your door. The central shopping district, the Gulou end of Xuanwu Lake and the southern Qinhuai district offer different evenings. Pick your base before choosing a skyline view.
| Area | Best suited to | The tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou | A central base for a varied city break | Expect an urban commercial setting rather than a quiet historic-quarter atmosphere. |
| Gulou / southern Xuanwu Lake | Combining city facilities with lake outings | The district is broad: being near Gulou Square does not make every lake entrance equally close. |
| Qinhuai / Confucius Temple | Historic-district evenings and nearby dining | The sightseeing focus can feel busy; check room position if you are sensitive to street activity. |
Xinjiekou
A central base for a varied city break
Choose the central business and shopping district when you want a city hotel with straightforward access to shops and onward transport.
Use Xinjiekou station as an orientation point, then check the correct exit for your hotel and luggage route.
Gulou / southern Xuanwu Lake
Combining city facilities with lake outings
Gulou is a useful alternative if you want to orient your stay towards Xuanwu Lake and the city's northern central sights.
Map the particular lake entrance and attraction you want to visit. Use the hotel's Gulou address for arrival.
Qinhuai / Confucius Temple
Historic-district evenings and nearby dining
Stay here if the Confucius Temple district is an evening priority. It lets you organise the day around returning to the southern central city.
Sanshanjie on Line 1 and Fuzimiao on Line 3 serve different approaches. Pick the station that matches the exact hotel entrance.
02 / Get your bearings
See the areas on a map
Pins show approximate area centers, not individual hotel entrances. Check the property’s official map for the final approach.
03 / A shortlist, with reasons
Nanjing hotel shortlist
Choose by location, room setup and the kind of trip you want. Check your dates, total price and cancellation terms on the hotel’s website.
3 hotels in this shortlist
The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing
A hotel-led break in the central shopping district
Its Zhongshan Road location and high-rise setting suit travellers who want Xinjiekou as their city base with substantial hotel facilities.
Choose the room outlook deliberately; the property's skyline photographs do not describe every room.
InterContinental Nanjing
Gulou-based sightseeing with a skyline setting
The Gulou Square address is a useful anchor for a stay built around Xuanwu Lake and the northern part of central Nanjing.
Check the distance to your chosen lake entrance, rather than treating the whole lake as one destination.
Holiday Inn Nanjing Aqua City
Confucius Temple visits with metro options
Its position beside the Confucius Temple district offers a different base from the northern tower hotels, with Sanshanjie and Fuzimiao station access.
Check which station works best for your arrival; the two stations are on different lines.
How we choose
These are editorial selections based on published property information and location fit. They are not guest-review scores or a claim of first-hand stays. We link to the sources so you can check the details that matter to you.
04 / Connect the rest of your trip
Arrival & onward travel
Nanjing Lukou Airport to central Nanjing: compare your transfer options
Check the railway station name
Nanjing Railway Station and Nanjing South Railway Station are separate arrival points. Use the station printed on your ticket when planning the final journey or arranging a pickup.
Check the source (opens a new tab)Allow for the airport-to-city leg
Lukou Airport is separate from the central hotel districts. Request a current transfer quote or plan the public-transport connection to your particular hotel before landing.
Check the source (opens a new tab)05 / Before you book
Your stay, made simpler
Should I stay in Xinjiekou or near Confucius Temple?
Use Xinjiekou for a central commercial base and a varied itinerary. Choose the Confucius Temple district if you want your evenings centred on that part of Nanjing.
Is Gulou a good base for Xuanwu Lake?
Yes, it is worth comparing if the lake is a priority. Check the actual walking route to your chosen entrance; a Gulou location and a lakefront location are different.
Do I need a hotel beside Nanjing South station?
It is worth considering for a particularly early departure. For a sightseeing stay, compare that convenience with having Xinjiekou, Gulou or Qinhuai as your daily base.
Sources & review
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Facilities, room names and transport arrangements can change. Confirm your exact room, guest count and booking terms with the property.