- Legal requirement: complete temporary residence registration within 24 hours of arrival.
- Platform change: Airbnb stopped mainland China operations in 2022 — use Trip.com, Tujia (途家) or Meituan (美团) instead.
- Core cost: serviced apartments average ¥15,000 / month.
- Pro tip: bind your foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive — cash is rarely used.
Types of short-term accommodation in Nanjing
Serviced apartments
For stays of a month or longer, serviced apartments are the seamless option for expats and business travellers. Hexi (河西) is the main hub for luxury and business accommodation, with top choices including Somerset Youth Olympic Nanjing (南京盛捷青奥国际社区) and Fraser Suites Nanjing (南京辉盛阁国际公寓). Lease terms are flexible, typically one to six months. The standard deposit is one month’s rent on top of the first month — though terms can usually be negotiated directly with management depending on length of stay.
Private short-term rentals
As of July 2022 Airbnb no longer operates domestic listings in China. Newcomers seeking short private lets must use domestic platforms — Tujia (途家), Meituan (美团), or the apartment section of Trip.com. These give a more local experience, but you must handle police registration yourself.
Hotels (luxury to budget)
Nanjing covers every tier. Luxury properties such as InterContinental and Jinling (金陵饭店) cluster around central hubs like Xinjiekou and the Hexi business district. Mid-range chains such as Atour (亚朵) and Novotel (诺富特) offer reliable comfort. Budget chains such as Hanting (汉庭) and 7 Days Inn are everywhere, but English service at that tier is rare.
Hostels
Budget travellers and backpackers can find dorm beds in dedicated hostels. Nanjing Time Youth Hostel (南京时光青年旅舍) in Meiyuan New Village, Xuanwu District, remains the first choice for youth accommodation.
What does it cost? (2026)
Prices swing significantly by season. During major Chinese holidays — especially the National Day golden week (1–7 October) and Spring Festival — expect nightly rates to rise 50% to 100%.
| Type | Average per night (CNY) | Monthly range (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury hotel (InterContinental, Jinling) | ¥750 – ¥2,200+ | n/a |
| Mid-range chain (Atour, Novotel) | ¥350 – ¥650 | n/a |
| Budget hotel (Hanting, 7 Days) | ¥120 – ¥250 | n/a |
| Serviced apartment (Somerset, Fraser) | ¥600 – ¥1,300 | ¥12,000 – ¥25,000 |
| Private apartment (short let) | ¥200 – ¥500 | ¥5,000 – ¥12,000 |
| Hostel (bed) | ¥55 – ¥130 | n/a |
Step-by-step: what to do on arrival
- Set up mobile payment. Before checking into an independent rental, bind your foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay. As of 2026 no Chinese bank account is needed for this, and physical credit cards are rarely accepted for everyday local transactions.
- Check transit-visa rules. If you entered through Nanjing Lukou (NKG) airport under the 144-hour transit exemption, make sure you hold confirmed onward travel to a third country — and do not leave Jiangsu, Zhejiang or Shanghai during your stay.
- Complete police registration. By law you must register your temporary address within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels and serviced apartments handle this automatically at check-in; if you rent privately through Tujia or Meituan, you must do it yourself.
- Keep the registration receipt. After registering you receive a Registration Form of Temporary Residence (境外人员临时住宿登记表). Keep the original paper copy or PDF — you will need it later to open a local bank account or extend a visa.
How to register online via WeChat
- Open WeChat and search for the official account: 南京公安 (Nanjing Gong’an).
- Navigate to: 微服务 → 出入境 → 境外人员临时住宿登记.
Nanjing vs. Shanghai (2026)
| Metric | Nanjing (new tier-1) | Shanghai (tier-1) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average hotel price | ¥450 | ¥820 | Nanjing ~45% cheaper |
| Serviced apartment (monthly) | ¥15,000 | ¥28,000+ | Nanjing ~46% cheaper |
| Hostel bed | ¥70 | ¥110 | Nanjing ~36% cheaper |
Typical 1-month budget (2026)
| Category | Estimated monthly cost (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (short-let private apartment) | ¥5,000 – ¥12,000 |
| Utilities (water, electricity, gas) | ¥200 – ¥450 |
| Internet & mobile data | ¥100 – ¥150 |
| Public transport (metro & bus) | ¥150 – ¥250 |
| Estimated basic total | ¥5,450 – ¥12,850 |
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the "foreign guest" rule. Many budget hotels lack the mandatory passport-scanning system to host foreigners legally. You cannot simply book the cheapest room online — use Trip.com and look for the specific label "accepts guests from all countries / regions".
- Hunting for Airbnb. Newcomers waste time trying to reach Airbnb listings that no longer exist in China. Switch to local apps such as Tujia or the apartment section of Trip.com.
- Losing the registration form. Discarding your temporary residence registration PDF or paper receipt will block you from opening a local bank account or renewing a visa.
FAQ
Can foreigners stay in any hotel in China in 2026? No. Many budget and local hotels are not licensed or equipped to host foreign guests. Confirm before booking — usually via the "accepts foreign guests" label on English platforms such as Trip.com.
How do I complete police registration in Nanjing? If your hotel has not registered you automatically, go to the local PSB in person with your passport, or use the self-service portal under the 出入境 menu of the 南京公安 WeChat official account.
Is Airbnb available in China? No. Airbnb permanently closed its domestic China business in July 2022. Travellers and expats must use alternative domestic platforms such as Tujia, Meituan or Trip.com.
How much deposit does a serviced apartment require? The standard is one month’s rent as security deposit on top of the first month’s rent. Short stays may negotiate a lower fixed deposit, but you will always pay something before getting the keys.
Can I pay rent in cash in Nanjing? Cash is rarely accepted for rent or everyday transactions. Property managers and landlords expect Alipay, WeChat Pay or a direct bank transfer — set up mobile payment before arriving.
Essential contacts
- Somerset Youth Olympic Nanjing (南京盛捷青奥国际社区): No. 9 Qing’ao South Road, Jianye District View in our directory →
- Fraser Suites Nanjing (南京辉盛阁国际公寓): No. 116 Lushan Road, Jianye District
- Nanjing Time Youth Hostel (南京时光青年旅舍): No. 6 Meiyuan New Village, Xuanwu District
- Nanjing PSB online registration: search 南京公安 (Nanjing Gong’an) in WeChat