Cost of Living in Nanjing
How much does it cost to visit Nanjing? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Atharva Tulsi / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
CNY 300
per day
Weekly: CNY 2100
Monthly: CNY 9000
Examples
- 🏨Nanjing Youth HostelCNY 80
- 🍽️Local noodle soup and steamed buns from a street vendorCNY 30
- 🚌Bus and subway day passCNY 15
- 🎟️Visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial HallCNY 0
- 🎟️Walk around Xuanwu Lake ParkCNY 0
- 🎟️Explore the Fuzimiao (Confucian Temple) area (browsing is free)CNY 0
- 🎟️Visit the Presidential Palace grounds (entry to some areas is free)CNY 0
- 🍽️Dinner at a casual local eatery in FuzimiaoCNY 75
- 🚌Taxi back to accommodationCNY 50
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
CNY 700
per day
Weekly: CNY 4900
Monthly: CNY 21000
Examples
- 🏨Novotel Nanjing East (standard room)CNY 350
- 🍽️Lunch at a popular local restaurant like LaomadengCNY 80
- 🚌Subway and occasional taxi ridesCNY 100
- 🎟️Visit the Nanjing Museum (free entry, special exhibits may have fees)CNY 0
- 🎟️Explore the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (UNESCO World Heritage site)CNY 50
- 🎟️Take a boat ride on Xuanwu LakeCNY 50
- 🍽️Dinner at a mid-range restaurant in the Xinjiekou areaCNY 120
- 🚌Taxi to and from dinnerCNY 50
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
CNY 1500
per day
Weekly: CNY 10500
Monthly: CNY 45000
Examples
- 🏨Grand Hyatt Nanjing (deluxe room)CNY 900
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at a hotel restaurantCNY 200
- 🚌Private car service for the dayCNY 300
- 🎟️Visit the Nanjing City Wall (climb a section)CNY 50
- 🎟️Private guided tour of the Presidential PalaceCNY 200
- 🎟️Visit the Qinhuai River by private boat at nightCNY 200
- 🍽️Gourmet dinner at a highly-rated restaurant like Green WaveCNY 300
- 🚌Return car service to accommodationCNY 50
Cost by Category
accommodation
150-400 CNY
food
100-200 CNY
Transport
30-50 CNY
activities
50-150 CNY
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xinjiekou | Mid-range | at center | first-timers, nightlife |
| Confucius Temple Area (Fuzimiao) | Mid-range | slightly below center | first-timers, culture |
| Gulou District | Budget | below center | solo travelers, culture |
| Hexi New Town | Luxury | slightly below center | business travelers, luxury |
Money-Saving Tips for Nanjing
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Nanjing Costs
How much does it cost to visit Nanjing?
Budget travellers can visit Nanjing for around CNY 300/day (CNY 2100/week). Mid-range travellers should budget CNY 700/day, while luxury travel costs around CNY 1500/day.
Is Nanjing expensive?
Nanjing is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least CNY 300/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Nanjing?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Nanjing, budget CNY 700/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Nanjing?
Budget travellers in Nanjing can get by on CNY 300/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.