For a first visit, choose a Nanjing base by the days you actually plan to spend there. A hotel near one useful metro station and a clear evening return route is often better than a famous address far from your interests.
Qinhuai for late evenings
Stay near Fuzimiao or Laomendong if the river and old-south lanes are central to your trip. For a different night scene, look toward Xinanli (熙南里), one of the districts in the city's 2026 night-walk network. These areas are lively, so inspect the exact room position and recent noise comments. “Near Fuzimiao” can still mean an awkward luggage walk; check the door, not only the district label.
Xinjiekou, Changjiang Road or Yihe Road?
Xinjiekou (新街口) is practical for shopping and cross-city days. The Changjiang Road corridor suits museum-led visits; Yihe Road gives a quieter, tree-lined base for architecture and bookshop walks. The city's newer routes treat Yihe as its own slow neighborhood experience, not an add-on to the Qinhuai evening. Check your closest metro exit and hotel entrance, especially with luggage.
Near a rail station
A station-area stay can make sense for a very early departure, but book it only after verifying whether your train uses Nanjing Station or Nanjing South. The two names refer to different places. For a longer leisure stay, compare the daily commute back to your chosen sights against the time saved on departure morning.
Before paying
Ask the property to confirm that it can register your travel document, its late check-in policy, the exact Chinese address and any change or cancellation terms. If step-free access matters, verify the entrance, lift and room rather than relying on a generic accessibility icon. Then place the hotel on a map beside your first day's route and your departure hub.