3 Days in Nanjing: Where to Stay and Daily Plan
For 3 days in Nanjing, base yourself in Xinjiekou / City Center for easy transit and foreigner-friendly hotels, then follow a relaxed daily plan of the city’s top sights. Prepay through a foreigner-friendly platform and keep your passport ready for registration.
Nanjing is best enjoyed from one well-placed base. This plan assumes you stay in Xinjiekou / City Center and make day trips, which avoids daily packing and long commutes. All recommended hotels in this area accept foreigners and register passports correctly.
Best Place to Stay
| Area to stay | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou / City Center | Central shopping and the metro hub with landmark hotels. | First visit, transit |
| Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) | Riverside historic district with character hotels and night market. | Culture, food |
| Near the South Railway Station | Best for high-speed rail travelers on the Beijing-Shanghai line. | Transit, rail |
See also our neighborhood guide Hotels Near The Forbidden City Beijing For Foreigners for deeper detail on where to sleep in the city.
Your 3-Day Plan
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Xinjiekou / City Center | Arrive, check in to your Xinjiekou / City Center hotel, and ease in with a walk around the base area and a local dinner. |
| Day 2 | Xinjiekou / City Center | Zhongshan Mausoleum |
| Day 3 | Xinjiekou / City Center | Final sights or last-minute shopping, then depart. Keep buffer time for airport or station transfers. |
Getting Around
Nanjing Lukou (NKG) is ~35 km south; metro line S1 and airport buses connect it. Use the metro for in-city moves and DiDi for door-to-door trips when the metro does not reach. Bind Alipay for transit and ride-hailing before you arrive.
Booking Tips for Foreigners
Wherever you stay near this area, a few rules make check-in smooth for foreign guests in China:
- Book through a China Temporary Residence Registration Explained so the property is flagged as foreigner-accepting before you arrive.
- Carry your passport; hotels must register every foreign guest with the police within 24 hours.
- Prepay or confirm foreign-card billing to avoid a rejected card at the front desk (see China Hotel Deposit Taxes Foreign Credit Card).
- Save the hotel’s English name and address for taxis, since drivers may not read your booking app.
- International chains simplify registration and English service; strong local chains also work if prepaid (compare International Vs Local Hotels In China Pros And Cons).
Day-by-Day Detail
Day 1
Spend day one settling in: check in, confirm your passport registration at the desk, and take a gentle walk around Xinjiekou / City Center to find dinner and the nearest metro. An easy first evening avoids jet-lag stress.
Day 2
Day 2 is built around Zhongshan Mausoleum. Move early to beat crowds, return to your Xinjiekou / City Center base to rest mid-afternoon, then dine nearby. Keeping the same base means no packing and a short commute each day.
Day 3
On your final day, keep a buffer for airport or station transfers. If time allows, revisit a favorite spot or pick up souvenirs near Xinjiekou / City Center before you check out.
Best Time to Visit Nanjing
Nanjing has four clear seasons. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) bring the most comfortable weather and the best light for photos, making them the preferred windows for most visitors. Summers are hot and busy at famous sights, while winters are cold but crowd-free and often cheaper. Whenever you go, book your central, foreigner-friendly base early, because the best-located hotels fill first.
Food and Neighborhoods Near Your Base
Staying in Xinjiekou / City Center puts restaurants, convenience stores, and cafes within a short walk, which matters after a long day of sightseeing. International hotels in this area usually have an English-menu restaurant and a concierge who can point you to local favorites. For a cheaper, livelier evening, step outside the hotel and follow where locals queue. Keep Alipay or WeChat Pay ready so paying at small shops is effortless.
Sample Daily Budget
| Item | Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central hotel (double) | Mid-range | Prepaid foreigner-friendly rates avoid desk card issues |
| Metro and DiDi | Low | Alipay transit code + ride-hailing |
| Meals | Low to mid | Local eateries are cheap; hotel dining costs more |
| Attraction tickets | Low to mid | Book online to skip queues |
A single central base keeps transit and dining costs down, so you can spend more on experiences. Prepaying the hotel and using metro passes are the two biggest savers.
Conclusion
A 3-day Nanjing trip is easiest from a single central, foreigner-friendly base with a clear daily plan. Prep the app payments, prepay the hotel, and let the itinerary handle the rest. More routes in our https://www.chinatravelhotels.com/category/itineraries/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay for 3 days in Nanjing?
In Xinjiekou / City Center, the most central and foreigner-friendly choice, close to metro and dining.
Can I do Nanjing in 3 days?
Yes for the highlights; 3 days covers the core sights at a relaxed pace.
Do I need to change hotels during the trip?
No. One central base is enough since you make day trips.
How do I pay for transport as a foreigner?
Bind Alipay or WeChat Pay to a foreign card for metro and DiDi; carry some cash as backup.
Will my hotel register my passport?
International and major local chains do it automatically at check-in.
What is the best season for this trip?
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather and fewer weather surprises.
How much should I budget per day?
A central prepaid hotel plus metro and local food keeps daily costs moderate; splurge on one special experience.
Last verified: October 26, 2026. Services, prices, and transport links change; confirm with the hotel and platform before booking.
About the author: This guide was written by Karl Huang, based on on-the-ground experience helping international travelers book and check in to hotels across China.
Disclosure: This site may use affiliate links to booking platforms such as Trip.com, Booking.com, and Agoda. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our independent, experience-based recommendations.
