Unbelievable Nanjing Hidden Gem: Confucius Temple's BEST Kept Secret!
Unbelievable Nanjing Hidden Gem: Confucius Temple's BEST Kept Secret! (… Maybe Not So Secret Anymore After THIS!)
Alright, folks, let's be real. Finding a truly hidden gem in a place like Nanjing, with its thronging crowds and ancient history, feels a bit like searching for a unicorn. But, guess what? I think I stumbled upon one – well, at least partially hidden – right near the Confucius Temple. And I'm here to spill the tea (or, you know, the green tea, considering the location). Buckle up, because this isn't your average hotel review. This is a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious account of my stay.
The Location: Pure Tourist Bait, But…
Let's address the elephant in the room: the Confucius Temple area. It's a total tourist magnet. Think flashing lights, souvenir stalls overflowing with questionable trinkets, and a cacophony of Mandarin and the occasional desperate shout in English. So, naturally, I was slightly skeptical when I booked a place nearby. But, and this is a big but, the hotel, whose name I won't completely expose (gotta maintain some illusion of secrecy!), managed to carve out a little oasis of calm amidst the chaos.
Accessibility: Mostly Good, With a Bit of a Caveat…
Okay, let's get the serious stuff out of the way first. Accessibility is on the radar, thankfully. The hotel boasts an elevator, which is a HUGE win in a place like this. They also have facilities for disabled guests, though specific details about those weren't immediately apparent upon arrival (I’ll dig deeper next time!). Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private] options are available, which is a nice touch for those who want a smooth experience. Car park [free of charge] is another bonus. But! Getting to the hotel from the main street? A bit of a maze of narrow streets. My taxi driver definitely looked lost for a bit! Not the hotel's fault, but be prepared for a potentially confusing arrival if you’re using public transport or walking with mobility concerns.
The Rooms: My Sanctuary… Almost.
My room? Pretty darn good. They had air conditioning that actually worked (bliss!), a comfy bed, and a window that opens (essential for a claustrophobe like myself). The free Wi-Fi was a godsend (more on that later). They even had a bathrobe and slippers and a hair dryer (thank god for that hairdryer, my hair goes absolutely berserk in humidity!). The blackout curtains were perfect for battling jet lag.
Now, the not-so-perfect bits (because let's be real, perfection is boring).
The mirror in the bathroom was a little… moody. Like, it made me look slightly… off. Perhaps the lighting? I'll blame the lighting. The safe box was tiny, barely fit my passport. Annoying. But hey, at least there was one! And the TV? A basic, showing-everything-in-Chinese television. But I wasn't there to watch telly.
The Wi-Fi Saga: A Love-Hate Relationship
Okay, the free Wi-Fi [in all rooms] gets its own dedicated paragraph because it was a rollercoaster. It worked most of the time, but there were moments of… turbulence. Like, the connection would vanish just as I was about to send a crucial email. Or, you know, just when I was about to delve into a crucial online game. (Don't judge me.) The hotel also offered Internet access – LAN, which I didn’t use. This is a testament to my commitment to the hotel’s Wi-Fi. And in the public areas, Wi-Fi [in public areas] was pretty reliable.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Coma I Deserved
The hotel had several options. The restaurants offered a mix of Asian cuisine and International cuisine, with some Western cuisine thrown in for good measure. There was a buffet in restaurant which was, honestly, pretty decent. The usual suspects – scrambled eggs, bacon, some kind of questionable sausage I bravely tried. I preferred the A la carte in restaurant. The real highlight? The Coffee/tea in restaurant… and the desserts in restaurant. Seriously, prepare for a sugar rush. They even had a poolside bar, which, I have to admit, was calling to me on a scorching afternoon. But I was too busy stuffing myself with the buffet. Priorities.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day! (And Maybe More)
This part was intriguing. They have a spa! A proper spa with sauna, steamroom, massage, and even Body scrub and Body wrap. Yes, please! I indulged in a massage, and it was divine. And the pool with view was perfect for a relaxing afternoon, though I didn’t swim. I’ve always wanted to try a Foot bath, but I forgot to put it on my list. Plus, there was a fitness center/ gym. The gym was small. I'm not sure how much real fitness happens in the gym, but it's there.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Actually Seemed to Care!
I was genuinely impressed with the hotel's commitment to cleanliness and safety, particularly with the post-pandemic world. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, Daily disinfection in common areas, and staff was trained in safety protocol. Apparently, they used Anti-viral cleaning products and took the whole Hygiene certification thing very seriously. They even offered me the option to have a Room sanitization opt-out, showing they cared about my personal level of risk and comfort. I appreciated it. The staff really did make an effort.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras That Matter
The hotel offered a bunch of helpful services. Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly. They had Concierge services that, although, I didn't really need, they were happy to assist. They did offer Currency exchange which I appreciated. The Luggage storage was handy. There was an Ironing service. And a Laundry service . They even had a convenience store for those late-night snack cravings.
For the Kids and (Maybe) the Adults:
They had Babysitting service and were advertised as Family/child friendly. I saw families there enjoying their time.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location… And Then Some!
The hotel understood that it was in a tourist hotspot. They had Taxi service ready to go, and a Car park [on-site] if you drove yourself or were dropped by a car.
The Flaws? Oh, There Were a Few…
Okay, even with all the good stuff, it wasn't perfect. The room service menu? Limited. The air conditioning, though functional, made a noise like a small jet engine taking off. And the lack of a proper view from my room was a bit of a downer (I blame the moody mirror!).
Emotional Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Yes. Absolutely. Despite the minor imperfections, the hotel had a certain charm. It was clean, comfortable, the staff was friendly and the location, the delicious food, the access to the spa… I'd go back in a heartbeat. It's not a perfect oasis, but it's a damn good one, and a welcome respite from the chaotic, glorious, and utterly overwhelming beauty of Nanjing.
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Okay, buckle up buttercups. This ain't your polished travel brochure. This is my brain, post-noodles, rambling through Nanjing. Here's the utterly chaotic itinerary I tried to stick to for my trip to Hi Inn Nanjing Confucius Temple Laomendong, China. Spoiler alert: things went sideways. Gloriously sideways.
Nanjing: A Love Letter (With a Side of Spicy Regret)
Day 1: Arrival, Noodles, and the Crumbling Edge of Sanity
Morning (Lost and Found): Landed in Nanjing. Jet lag was a snarling beast. Finding the Hi Inn was a minor odyssey. Turns out, "close to the Confucius Temple" and "actually near the Confucius Temple" are very different things. Walked around for an eternity, sweating, mumbling unintelligible greetings to passing locals. Finally, I found it. The relief was a physical thing. Like, I could feel my blood pressure dropping.
Afternoon (Noodle Nirvana and Cultural Confusion): Check-in! Room was surprisingly decent (for the price, anyway). Then the real business began: food. My mission: to conquer Jiangsu cuisine. Found a tiny noodle shop practically hidden in an alley. The place was buzzing, everyone was slurping, and I pointed vaguely at the menu. What I got was a bowl of pure, unadulterated heaven. Like, the noodles were perfect, the broth was a symphony, I nearly wept. And the cost? Like, two bucks? I became convinced I'd found a wormhole to a parallel universe.
Evening (The Confucius Temple… Kinda): Okay, the temple area. It’s…bustling. Think Disneyland, but with more incense and less Mickey Mouse. I wandered, got slightly overwhelmed by the crowds, and the sheer volume of souvenir shops. I bought a little jade trinket that almost immediately broke. Sigh. Ate some street food that was, shall we say, adventurous. One little dumpling was exploding with a liquid fire of spices. It was both horrifying and amazing. I'm still not sure how to feel about it. I spent 30 minutes trying to figure out how the Chinese people were playing a board game and I’m still not entirely sure.
Night (Jet Lag's Revenge): Passed out cold at 8 pm, fully clothed, face first into the hotel pillow. My dreams were a kaleidoscope of noodles, jade trinkets, and spicy dumplings.
Day 2: Laomendong, History, and the Great Dumpling Debacle
Morning (Laomendong Charm): Dragged myself out of bed, fueled by instant coffee and a desperate hope. Laomendong, the old town, was on the agenda. The historic buildings were pretty damn cool, cobblestone streets, charming storefronts, all the Insta-worthy stuff. Wandered for ages, soaking it all in. I even nearly tripped over a cat. Bonus points!
Afternoon (The Dumpling Conspiracy – Part Deux): Found another dumpling place. This time, I was smarter. Or so I thought. I pointed at the same dumpling I had earlier, just to see if it was really as spicy as I remember. Oh, it was. My brain fried. I think I hallucinated a tiny, aggressive dragon. I staggered out, convinced my taste buds were permanently damaged. I did manage to find some milder ones and they were delicious, but after that ordeal, not sure if I could call them the winners of the day.
Evening (Temple Reverie, Sort Of): Back to the Confucius Temple area (again). This time, I actually tried to connect with the history. Read about Confucius, wandered by the Qinhuai River, watched some of the boat tours (that looked expensive). The atmosphere, even with the crowds, was honestly magical. It was a very pretty place.
Night (Trying to be Culturally Aware): Tried to watch a local opera on a projector that was in the hotel lobby. The show was interesting, but I got so sleepy I couldn't remember much.
Day 3: The Great Wall, Shopping, and Bitter-Sweet Departures
Morning (The Great Wall… of Nanjing?): Okay, so there wasn’t actually a Great Wall in Nanjing. I had a moment of monumental stupidity in the planning stages, because I had been so tired, and I actually thought I had seen some information about one in the area. So, I had to quickly adjust. I opted for Xuanwu Lake Park (which was gorgeous!) and a trip to the Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area, which features a section of the Ming Dynasty City Wall (much smaller, but still impressive). The views from the top were breathtaking. I felt a small sense of achievement.
Afternoon (Shopping Spree… and Bargain Bin Regret): Hit up the shopping district. I was in full-on souvenir mode. Bargained hard, got some cheap silk scarves, and a porcelain teapot that’s probably worth about five dollars. I'm a sucker for the cheap and cheerful. But, looking back, I probably should have bought fewer trinkets and focused more on experiencing things.
Evening (Farewells and Reflections): Last dinner. Another noodle place (of course). This time, I was a pro. Ordered with confidence (and a spray bottle of water, just in case of another dumpling explosion). Reflecting on the trip, I realize that the best moments were not the meticulously planned ones. They were the ones where I got lost, got a taste of food that was a little too spicy, and let go of the need to have everything under control. Nanjing, you glorious mess. You've captured my heart (and my taste buds).
Night (Departure): Traveled to the airport, very emotional, said goodbye to China. Said goodbye to dumplings, goodbyes to noodles, and goodbyes to that little jade trinket that never made it past day one.
Bottom Line: This trip wasn’t about ticking boxes; it was about embracing the happy chaos, the cultural collisions, and the questionable food choices. It was about getting irrevocably lost, and then finding myself in the most unexpected places. Nanjing, you were a wild ride. And I can't wait to do it all over again. (But maybe with fewer spicy dumplings).
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Unbelievable Nanjing Hidden Gem: Confucius Temple's BEST Kept Secret! (Okay, Maybe Not *Secret* Secret...)
Okay, Spill the Tea! What's This "Secret" at Confucius Temple? Sounds Kinda Clickbaity...
Alright, alright, hold your horses. "Secret" might be a *slight* exaggeration. Let's just say most tourists barrel through the main courtyard, snap some photos, and bolt. They miss the *soul* of the place. And that *soul*, my friends, is... well, it's a collection of smaller, quieter spaces. Thinking areas, places full of calligraphy and poetry. And honestly? It's the lack of the crowds that makes it so special. This includes the back gardens, the tiny tea houses tucked away. Honestly, sometimes it *feels* like a secret, just because everyone else is so busy posing in front of the big temple.
So, Is It *Actually* Worth the Trip if I'm Not a Hardcore History Buff? Or Am I Just Gonna Be Bored?
Look, I'm gonna be brutally honest: if you think history is just a bunch of dusty textbooks, *maybe* reconsider. But, even if you are, give it a shot! I went with this preconception, but the place gets you. Okay, yes, a lot of it is *about* Confucius. But it's also about peace, beauty.. and the sheer audacity of how people used to live. You can almost *feel* it. And hey, even if you’re bored by the background, the architecture’s stunning. Seriously, some of the carvings are intricate enough to make your jaw drop! And even if you *hate* history, the back gardens offer a respite from the chaos of the city, and that’s enough. Take a deep breath and you'll see it.
Tell Me About the Crowds. Are They *That* Bad? I Hate Crowds.
Okay, listen. During peak season? Yes. They're *that* bad. It's shuffling, elbowing, and photo-bomb hell. The main courtyard gets packed. The river walk is a sea of selfie sticks. But here's the magic: *venture off the beaten path*. Seriously. The "secret" is to get lost. Get away from the main drag that has all the "Instagrammable" stuff. The further you walk inwards, the more you get the quiet. The gardens are usually pretty serene. And there are places that seem to actively *discourage* crowds. Look for the smaller doorways, the unassuming paths... Trust me, it’s worth the effort and energy of getting away from the tourist swarms. Try going early in the morning or during the week. That makes a world of difference. One time I went on a rainy Tuesday and practically had the calligraphy museum to myself. Utter bliss. (Except for the rain, which was only mildly tolerable.)
You Mentioned Tea Houses? Do I Need to Speak Chinese to Order a Tea? (My Chinese Is, shall we say, *Rustic*...)
Ah, the tea houses. My happy place. Okay, so you don't need to be fluent, but a little bit of pre-planning helps. Most places have menus with pictures, thank god. You can also point and smile (works wonders!). Download a translation app. And, if all else fails? Learn the phrase "Wǒ yào yī bēi chá" (I want a cup of tea) and hope for the best! The tea houses I found are usually very forgiving of language barriers. And even if you mess up, the tea is worth it. Seriously. Think tiny cups, delicate flavors, and the perfect place to sit and contemplate the meaning of life... or at least how to avoid getting run over by a scooter on the way back to your hotel.
Okay, Let’s Talk *Specifics*. Where Should I ACTUALLY Go? Give Me Some Tips!
Alright, here’s the cheat sheet. Don’t just follow the obvious path. When you see the big temple and stuff, *immediately* look to your left or right. Look for the paths that seem less traveled. Wander. Get lost on purpose. The side gardens are often a good bet. Seek out the calligraphy museum. The temple's main hall is a must-see too. It's really, truly stunning. And don’t be afraid to peek into side rooms; you might find a hidden gem. The river walk is a must do also.
Did You Have Any Bad Experiences? Anything to Watch Out For?
Oh, sure. One time, I got swarmed by a group of overly enthusiastic children who wanted a picture with me. Very sweet, but also incredibly overwhelming. The food vendors just outside the temple can be a bit pushy and overpriced. And be prepared for the heat and humidity in the summer. It’s brutal. Pack water, sunscreen, and maybe a fan. Also, be wary of pickpockets in crowded areas. That's pretty standard advice for any major tourist attraction. And, a small note: if you are easily offended, maybe skip any shops selling…*ahem*… "questionable" Confucius-themed souvenirs. I saw a hat that was, well, let's just say it raised some eyebrows. But overall, it was an overwhelmingly positive experience.
Okay, I'm Sold! What's the EASIEST Way to Get There?
The Confucius Temple is SUPER accessible. The best way is the subway. Take line 1 to Sanshanjie Station (三山街) – it's a short walk from there! Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also readily available, but traffic in Nanjing can be a bit of a nightmare, so the subway is usually your best bet. Google Maps is your friend here. Just be sure to download an offline map *before* you go, just in case. And, remember, the entrance is pretty obvious. You really can't miss it. Just try to resist the urge to immediately run in with the herd. Explore a little.
Let's talk about a *specific* Memory, a favorite moment. Something that *really* stuck with you?
Oh, man. Okay. This is going to sound cheesy, but here goes. I was wandering around the back gardens, completely lost (which, honestly, is the best way to experience it). I stumbled upon this *tiny* pavilion, overlooking a small pond filled with lily pads. The air was quiet, the sun was dappling through the trees, and this old man was sitting there, practicing calligraphy. Seriously. He was using these gigantic brushes and this inky black ink, and the whole thing was just… beautiful. I sat there, for maybe an hour, just watching him, with no idea what he was writing, and I didn't need to. The act itself was mesmerizing! It felt like I had stumbled into another world, a world of tranquility. It was a moment of pure peace, and it'sOcean View Inn
