Nanjing Lukou International Airport

Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) serves Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province and one of China's "Four Great Ancient Capitals." Located 35 km south of the city center, it's a major hub in the Yangtze River Delta region.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (newer, larger). T2 handles most domestic and international traffic.

Key airlines: China Eastern (hub), Air China, Juneyao Airlines, Spring Airlines, and various international carriers.

NKG is south of Nanjing:

• To Nanjing city center (Xinjiekou): 40 km, 40-60 minutes
• To Nanjing Railway Station: 45 km, 50-70 minutes
• To Confucius Temple area: 38 km, 40-55 minutes
• To Nanjing South Railway Station: 25 km, 25-35 minutes

Uber does not operate in China. Use Didi (Chinese rideshare app—requires Chinese phone number or international version).

Taxis from the rank:

• To city center: ¥130-180 (~$18-25 USD)
• To Nanjing Railway Station: ¥150-200
• Metered, reliable

Metro Line S1

Metro S1 (Airport Express) connects to the city:

• Route: Airport → Nanjing South Railway Station → city connections
• To Nanjing South: 35 minutes, ¥7
• To Xinjiekou (city center): Connect at Nanjing South, total ~50 minutes
• Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes
• Hours: 06:00-22:30

The metro is the most convenient option.

Airport Bus

Airport buses to various city locations:

• Multiple routes to different areas
• Cost: ¥20-30
• Journey time: 60-90 minutes depending on destination

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Covered	¥80/day	Terminal adjacent
Open	¥60/day	Both terminals

NKG has extensive dining:

Terminal 2:

• Chinese restaurants (multiple cuisines)
• Nanjing specialties available
• International fast food
• Coffee shops (Starbucks, Pacific Coffee)

Try: Nanjing salted duck (盐水鸭) or duck blood soup before leaving.

Network: NKG Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• May require Chinese phone verification

Note: Many Western websites/apps blocked in China; VPN recommended.

SIM cards from:

• China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom counters
• Prices: ¥100-200 for prepaid with data
• Passport required

ATMs throughout terminals.

Currency: Chinese Yuan (¥/CNY). Approximately 7.2 CNY = 1 USD.

Important: Mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay) dominates; international visitors may face challenges. Carry cash as backup.

Terminal 2:

• Duty-free (Chinese goods, liquor, cosmetics)
• Nanjing souvenirs
• Chinese tea and snacks

China Eastern Lounge

• Access: China Eastern Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Amenities: Chinese food, drinks, WiFi

Air China Lounge

• Access: Air China Business, Star Alliance Gold

BGS Premier Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, or walk-in

Hotels in central Nanjing around Xinjiekou and Confucius Temple. Near-airport hotels available.

Nanjing is China's ancient capital—a city of imperial history, war memorials, and modern development along the Yangtze River:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao): 45 min—historic district, Qinhuai River, shops
• Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: 50 min—grand memorial on Purple Mountain
• Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: 55 min—Ming Dynasty founder's tomb, UNESCO site
• Nanjing Massacre Memorial: 40 min—sobering WWII history museum
• Presidential Palace: 45 min—former government seat, beautiful grounds

Purple Mountain scenic area:

• Linggu Temple and Pagoda: Ancient temple, scenic forest
• Ming Tombs: Sacred Way with stone animals
• Observatory: Mountain-top views

City exploration:

• Xinjiekou: Modern downtown, shopping
• Xuanwu Lake: Large urban lake, walking paths
• City Wall: Best-preserved Ming Dynasty wall in China
• Nanjing Museum: One of China's largest, excellent collections

Nanjing cuisine:

• Nanjing salted duck (盐水鸭): The signature dish
• Duck blood and vermicelli soup: Local breakfast specialty
• Pan-fried beef dumplings: Crispy and delicious
• Osmanthus rice wine: Local sweet wine

Local tips:

• History sensitivity: Nanjing Massacre Memorial is emotionally heavy but important
• Hot summer: Nanjing is one of China's "furnace cities" (40°C+ in summer)
• High-speed rail: 1.5 hours to Shanghai, convenient day connections
• Language: Limited English; translation apps helpful
• Mobile payment: WeChat Pay/Alipay dominate; prepare accordingly
• VPN: Needed for Google, WhatsApp, Western social media
• Four Seasons: Distinct seasons; spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are best
• Former capital: Nanjing was China's capital at various points in history
• The name means "Southern Capital" (Beijing = "Northern Capital")