Escape to Nanjing: Elan Inn's Confucius Temple Charm!
Escape to Nanjing: Elan Inn's Confucius Temple Charm! – A Review That's Actually Real (and Maybe a Little Crazy)
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the oolong – more on that later) on Elan Inn in Nanjing, specifically the one near the Confucius Temple. Forget those dry, predictable reviews. This is going to be…well, me. And me is a messy, occasionally brilliant, always brutally honest human being.
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Okay, NOW We Can Get Real (and Possibly Get Lost):
So, let's start with the basics. You know, the stuff that should be important. Accessibility? Frankly, I’m not a wheelchair user, but I noticed a few things. There was an elevator (thank God! I'm not getting any younger…) and ramps around. The website claimed wheelchair accessibility, but I'd recommend calling ahead and grilling them. Definitely don't take my word as gospel on that one. I'm more concerned with finding the best bowl of noodles, not measuring doorways.
**Inside that Elevator - (A Slightly Detour) **: it was a journey, even for a healthy me. It's slow, people, it's slow. (And I might have gotten a little claustrophobic.) But hey, that's China, right? Everything takes a *bit* longer, a bit more patience… and maybe a lot more deep breaths.
Internet? Yup, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! (And it worked…mostly. Let's be honest, sometimes it's like wrestling a particularly stubborn goldfish. But at least it was free.) They also offered Internet [LAN]. I mean, who even uses LAN cables anymore? Still, points for covering all the bases… I guess. Internet services were available, but I didn't need to use them much. So, the Wi-Fi in public areas was decent. I managed to finally get a decent connection to post all the images I took to Instagram.
Food & Drink Bonanza (My Personal Paradise):
This is where things got interesting. The Asian breakfast was… well, let's just say my Western palate was challenged. Steamed buns a bit early in the day? Sure, why not. But the international cuisine restaurant was a lifesaver. Seriously, after a few days of adventurous eating, a plate of (admittedly slightly generic) pasta felt like a warm hug. They had a buffet in restaurant, and a salad in restaurant and you could even order a soup in restaurant. (I, however, couldn't pass up the coffee shop.) The coffee there was a good start to the day! (but the coffee at the Confucius Temple was much better).
The Bar was… present. It had a vaguely airport-bar vibe, but the staff was friendly, and the bottle of water was always welcome. Happy hour? Don’t mind if I do!
The room service [24-hour] was a plus. Especially after a long day of temple hopping. And the desserts in restaurant? Let's just say I may or may not have indulged in a few too many. No regrets. (Except maybe the extra kilos…but hey, you only live once, right?)
Things to Do (Besides Eat):
Okay, this hotel wasn't just about stuffing my face. (Though it definitely felt that way sometimes.) They had a Pool with view and swimming pool [outdoor]. Actually, the pool was kind of a letdown. It was small, not that scenic (though I did catch a glimpse of the Confucius Temple from a certain angle), and felt a bit crammed. Fine for a quick dip, but not exactly an oasis.
Spa & Relaxation – Or, My Attempt to Be Grown-Up:
Okay, here's where I tried to be all sophisticated and ordered a Body scrub and a massage. The spa was… fine. (I'm sensing a theme here.) Didn't blow my mind, but it was relaxing. The sauna, steamroom, and spa/sauna were available. Good for trying to sweat out all of the food I was ingesting. I didn't go to the fitness center. (See above re: food.)
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, Important Stuff:
This is where Elan Inn actually shined. The cleanliness and safety protocols seemed genuinely thorough. I noticed Anti-viral cleaning products were being used, the staff was clearly trained in safety protocol, and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. The room was incredibly clean. The rooms were sanitized between stays, even though I had opted for room sanitization opt-out. Also Staff trained in safety protocol: I did feel safe. I also appreciated the daily disinfection in common areas. The safe dining setup made me feel secure when eating at the restaurant. I really liked the Safe dining setup.
Rooms… The Real Test:
Okay, let's talk about the room itself. Mine was a non-smoking room, thankfully. They had Air conditioning, which was a lifesaver in the Nanjing heat. There was free of charge bottled water, which was great, and a coffee/tea maker. Blackout curtains? Yes! Bathrobes and slippers? Check and check. The bed actually was a little longer than the average bed. I loved the complimentary tea. The daily housekeeping kept it sparkling. The soundproofing was pretty good too – essential, given the location. I did not use the safe box and the desk. The mini-bar was a little pricey.
It wasn't the most glamorous room in the world, but it was comfortable, clean, and had everything I needed. The wi-fi [free] worked. The big window let in a lot of light.
Services and Conveniences – The Nitty-Gritty:
They had a concierge desk, helpful for directions. They offered luggage storage. Dry cleaning and ironing service were available. They also offered food delivery. (Because sometimes, even walking to the restaurant feels like too much effort.) The 24-hour front desk was good.
For the Kids:
I didn’t travel with children, but it seemed pretty family/child friendly. I noticed babysitting service listed. I'm not sure what kids facilities were available.
Getting Around:
They offered airport transfer (I didn’t use it), and a taxi service. They had on-site car park (not free).
Imperfections & Quirks (because, let’s be real):
- The elevators. My God, the elevators.
- The "view" from the pool. More like a partial glimpse of something interesting.
- The breakfast buffet's… enthusiasm for steamed buns.
- Finding the perfect bubble tea shop. (Seriously, it became a quest.)
The Verdict?
Elan Inn near Nanjing's Confucius Temple? It's a solid choice. It leans towards "practical" rather than "luxurious," but the cleanliness and the location are huge wins. It's not perfect – nothing ever is – but it's a decent base for exploring the area. Would I go back? Maybe. If I can bypass that elevator. And if they promise to up their coffee game. Overall Grade: B+ (Room for Improvement, But Definitely Worth Considering)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my attempt to survive, nay, thrive in Nanjing, specifically around the Confucius Temple and the Elan Inn (wish me luck on that "inn" part!). I'm hoping for ancient wisdom and delicious dumplings, but let's be honest, I'm also bracing for jet lag and the occasional existential crisis. Here goes…
Nanjing Adventure: A Hot Mess Express (Probably) - Based out of Elan Inn (fingers crossed it’s actually an inn!)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Dumpling Debacle (or Triumph!)
- Morning (like, really early): Arrive at Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG). The flight was a blur of airplane food, questionable legroom, and a persistent fear of losing my passport. Honestly, the immigration line felt longer than the flight itself. My brain feels like a scrambled egg. Gotta find the Elan Inn… which is supposedly near the Confucius Temple Metro Station. Navigation is my weakness, especially when sleep-deprived. God help me.
- Quirk Alert: I swear, at least three people on the plane were wearing matching "I Heart Nanjing" t-shirts. Coincidence? Cult? I need answers!
- Mid-Morning: SUCCESSFULLY found the airport express train and (hopefully) the metro. Praying the signage isn't entirely in Mandarin. Google Translate, you're my only hope! Emotional Reaction: A surge of pure, unadulterated relief at the sight of a functioning train!
- Afternoon: Arrive at Elan Inn (praying it's not a glorified broom closet). Check in, unpack (or shove everything into a bag, let's be real), and IMMEDIATELY head out for food. I'm talking stat. The rumbling in my stomach is bordering on volcanic. My target: the Confucius Temple area, specifically for… dumplings. I saw pictures. I dreamt of them. Opinionated outburst: If I don't get amazing dumplings today, I'm staging a protest.
- Rambling interlude: Okay, so dumplings. I have a thing for them. It's a deep-seated, almost spiritual connection. The perfect dumpling is a symphony of textures and flavors: the delicate skin, the savory filling… sigh I'm drooling just thinking about it.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: THE DUMPLING HUNT! Okay, so this is where things get…complicated. I find a tiny, bustling street food stall. It smells divine. I point at a picture of dumplings. The vendor smiles. I hand over some cash. The wait… oh god, the wait! It felt like an eternity. Finally, the dumplings arrive. Taste Test: The results are…mixed. Some are heavenly, some are a bit bland, some were not what I expected. It was a gamble!
- Anecdote: I tried to order some green tea, but my Mandarin skills are clearly nonexistent. I ended up gesturing wildly and making frantic sipping motions. The vendor and a crowd of onlookers were highly amused. I believe they think I am a delightful madwoman.
- Evening: Wander around the Confucius Temple at night. The lights! The atmosphere! It's actually pretty darn magical, actually! Walk a lot there, get lost in the side streets, and try to find my way back to Elan Inn (again with the navigation!).
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed, in a good way! The history, the architecture, the energy of the place—it's a sensory overload in the best possible sense.
- Imperfection: Got confused and took a wrong turn, I then had to ask for directions (using charades) from some students, which went quite well. I think.
Day 2: Temple Time & The Great Cultural Divide (or Bridge?)
- Morning: Finally, real sleep. Sleep the jet lag off, and maybe I will eat even more dumplings! Head to the Confucius Temple itself. Explore the grounds, soak up the history, pretend I understand anything about Confucius.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer number of ornate roofs and intricate carvings is actually mind-boggling. Is this what architectural envy feels like?
- Mid-Morning: Explore the surrounding shops, look at the souvenirs for sale, and try to haggle on something (probably fail).
- Opinionated Language: The tourist shops can be cheesy, but I'm still going to buy a silly fan and probably some calligraphy thing that I won't use!
- Afternoon: Explore the Qinhuai River area by boat. It looks beautiful. Take a boat ride on the river and enjoy the scenery. Wonder if I can survive.
- Rambling Interlude: The boat trip was nice, but I realized I had no idea what the guide was saying. I just kept smiling and nodding, hoping for the best.
- Late Afternoon: A visit to the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. This one will be a challenge. This is a must-visit. This will be a sobering experience. It is so important to learn from this. I dread it, but I know I should be there.
- Emotional Reaction: Expecting a huge emotional wave.
- Evening: Seeking solace in food. Maybe some noodles? And a stiff drink. The day has been an emotional rollercoaster.
- Messier Structure: This memorial hall will be hard. I'll need to process. This is what travel is supposed to show you.
Day 3: Adventures in Tea & The Quest for the Perfect Picture (or at least an okay one)
- Morning: Let's try some tea! Find a tea house and attempt to properly appreciate the art of tea-making. Maybe even try to learn something!
- Imperfection: I'm clumsy and prone to spilling things. Expect a lot of tea-related mishaps.
- Mid-Morning: Stroll around this area more, explore.
- Afternoon: Okay, time for some serious photography. Explore the area and try to capture that "perfect shot" that will make everyone on Instagram jealous. Probably fail spectacularly.
- Anecdote: I saw this elderly man feeding the koi fish in a park, and he looked like something out of a painting. But, the lighting was terrible, and I fumbled with my camera. The photo? A blurry mess. My photography skills are…a work in progress.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: One last dumpling run? Visit a different part of this area? Dinner at a less-touristy restaurant.
- Emotional Reaction: Mixed. Excited to try new things, but also a little sad the trip is winding down.
- Evening: Pack, prepare for departure, and start the long train trip from Nanjing to Shanghai.
- Messier Structure: It’s okay. I can do this. I can survive.
Food Ramblings:
- Dumplings. I will try more dumpling places.
- I must try the local duck.
- I'm open to suggestions!
Final Thoughts:
This trip is going to be messy, unpredictable, and probably full of minor disasters. But, that's the fun of it, right? I'm here for the experience, the food, the history, and the inevitable culture shock. I'm embracing the chaos, the imperfections, and the fact that I will likely embarrass myself repeatedly. Wish me luck. And if you see a bewildered-looking foreigner desperately pointing at a menu, it's probably me. Say hi! (In English, please!) Now, let the adventure begin!
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Escape to Nanjing: Elan Inn's Confucius Temple Charm! (Or Maybe It's Just Charm-Adjacent...)
So, is this Elan Inn a good idea? REALLY good?
Okay, look, "good" is a loaded word. It depends. Are you expecting pristine hotel levels of perfection? RUN. Seriously, run screaming. Elan Inn is… well, it's charming in that slightly-rough-around-the-edges, "I might find a rogue hair in my pillowcase but hey, the location is killer" kinda way. I’m thinking, yup, this place is a bit of a gamble. I took this gamble. I won. Maybe. Mostly. Definitely in the right order.
Here’s the deal: It’s right in the heart of the Confucius Temple area, which is AMAZING. The location alone almost makes up for anything questionable. Almost. The first room I got... let's just say the plumbing had a personality of its own (loud and opinionated). But the second one? The second one was surprisingly zen.
My verdict? If you’re after a genuine Nanjing experience, and you're willing to embrace a tiny bit of chaos, then yeah, go for it. Just don’t expect the Ritz. And BYO earplugs. And maybe a hazmat suit, depending on your comfort level with questionable cleanliness. (Just kidding! Mostly.)
What's the location *really* like? Is it touristy?
Oh, it's touristy. REALLY touristy. Like, you can practically taste the roasted chestnuts and the souvenir vendor sweat in the air. But… and this is a big but… it’s touristy in the *best* way. The ancient architecture is stunning at night, with lanterns glowing and the river shimmering. The Confucius Temple itself is impressive, even if you, like me, are more interested in the food stalls. (Which are abundant and glorious, by the way. More on that later.)
Imagine stumbling out of the Elan Inn, and BAM! Fireworks, delicious street food smells, and the buzz of a thousand conversations. It’s chaotic, it’s lively, and it's undeniably… Nanjing. Just prepare for the crowds. And the selfie sticks. So. Many. Selfie sticks.
The rooms... give me the lowdown on the rooms!
Right, the rooms. This is where things get… interesting. As I mentioned before, I had two different room experiences. The first one *felt* like a dorm room from a 70's movie, I can't lie. But the second room felt surprisingly clean and comfortable, it had a nice vibe. (Again, ymmv.) The decor is… let's call it "eclectic." Think minimalist Ikea meets traditional (ish) Chinese influences with a touch of “budget hotel chic.”
Must-knows:
- Cleanliness: It's… acceptable. Don't expect sparkling. Bring your own antibacterial wipes if you're a germaphobe (like *some* of us).
- Noise: The location is prime, which means noise. Embrace it. Or bring earplugs. You’ve been warned.
- Amenities: Basic. Think a TV, a kettle, and maybe some instant coffee. Don't expect a mini-bar. You'll be buying things from the street vendors anyway..
- The Wifi: Hit or miss. Prepare to be disconnected sometimes, which, actually, can be quite liberating.
Honestly? It's more about the *location* than the room itself. And the location, as I've said, is GOLD.
And what about that food? Is it worth the trip alone?
YES! Absolutely, unequivocally YES. The food around the Confucius Temple is phenomenal. Street food vendors galore! (I practically lived on these). Try the sweet and sour ribs, the dumplings, the sesame balls, and the… well, everything. Honestly. Just wander around and point at stuff. You won't regret it.
I’m still dreaming about this one tiny vendor selling fried rice. I spent an hour there. Like, *just* the fried rice. They cooked it in this giant wok with such precision. It was like watching an artist at work. I almost went back the next day, just for the same fried rice! (There were other things to eat, but the focus!)
Beyond the street food, there are also tons of restaurants. From fancy (ish) places serving local Nanjing specialties to casual eateries, you'll be spoiled for choice. Food is very cheap. Come hungry.
What else is there to do besides eat?
Okay, so the Confucius Temple itself is pretty cool, if you’re into that kind of thing (which, I guess, I am). The architecture is stunning. Beautiful! You can explore the river, take a boat ride, visit the various temples and shrines. But honestly, my favorite thing was just wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere, and people-watching.
Plus:
- The Yunjin Brocade Museum: For some gorgeous textiles. I’m no textile expert, but even *I* was impressed!.
- The Presidential Palace: A glimpse into China's history.
- Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: The tomb of the first Ming emperor. Again, beautiful.
But really, just wandering around the streets, getting lost (happened to me more than once!), and experiencing the everyday life of Nanjing is an adventure in itself. Plus the food.
Is it easy to get around? Language barrier concerns?
Getting around is pretty easy! Nanjing has a good subway system, and taxis are readily available. If you’re brave you can even try the bus (but *I* didn't). The subway is your friend. It's clean, efficient, and relatively cheap. Plus, the signs are in English, so you probably won't get too lost.
Language can be a bit of a challenge. Not everyone speaks English, but most people are friendly and helpful. Google Translate is your best friend. I used it constantly, and I learned a lot of survival Chinese phrases (like "where's the bathroom?"). Also, learn some basics if you can. It makes a huge difference. The best thing? Pointing. Really. Just point at what you want, smile a lot, and be patient. It always works out (eventually!).
Anything I should really be aware of? Dealbreakers?
Okay, dealbreakers… Hmmm.
- Cleanliness: If you're a neat freak, maybe think twice. Seriously.
- Noise: You're in the middle of a bustling tourist spot. Get used to it. Or bring earplugs.
- Customer service: It can be a little… inconsistent. Don't expect Western-styleBook Hotels NowElan Inn Nanjing Confucius Temple Metro Station Nanjing China
Elan Inn Nanjing Confucius Temple Metro Station Nanjing China
