Jinjiang Inn Jiaxing South Lake

We were worried about this accommodation for our trip because it was dirt cheap. When we arrived outside the hotel, the exterior of the hotel looked like a motel and we were wondering what we got ourselves into. However, when we got into our room, we were greeted by an awesome room with clean sheets and there was nothing much else we could have asked for at this dirt cheap price! The staff were also polite and were always ready to help whenever we had questions! This hotel aptly demonstrates the phrase "do not judge a book by its cover".

I am writing this on my way back from PVG to LAX, I had a great 8 nights trip and this hotel made it possible. Why Jiaxing? It is a prosperous and culture rich city with waterways, Grand Canal and lakes and also historic streets along the canal and lake, not as big as Hangzhou, Suzhou, but good enough, and great location in between Shanghai and Hangzhou, all trains, high speed or not, all have a stop in Jiaxing, 2 long distance bus stations to serve your travel needs, including PVG Terminal One in 2 hours. Why Jinjiang Inn? 5 minutes walk from the train station (not Jiaxing South station for high speed, far from city center), city bus stops to everywhere, RMB 138 ($25) per night from Expedia, the room I stayed was surprisingly pleasant, I asked for a quiet room with no neighbors, the morning breakfast is RMB 18, don't expect too high, but price is right, there was a KFC and a Chinese chain restaurant selling wonton and zongzi (rice dumpling), my favorite. It is so nice and cheap that I used it as a hub for my trip. Here is my itinerary: Day 1, out of PVG at 8:30 PM (AA flight 183 from LAX really has an inconvenient schedule), called a taxi to Shanghai South Station to catch a train to Jiaxing. Day 2, took care of bus tickets to Wuxi and PVG, took train to the famous Leather city in Haining (30 minutes, one stop from Jiaxing by train) Day 3, went to North Bus Station to catch the bus to Wuxi, a comfortable 2 hour ride Day 4, went back to Jiaxing Day 5, train to Hangzhou, took about an hour. Day 6, in Hangzhou Day 7 and 8 stayed in Jiaxing. I stayed in Intercontinental hotel both in Wuxi and Hangzhou, part of the highlights of the trip, highly recommended.

Imposing Stalinist concrete building, adjacent to the bus station and railway. However, everything else about it is welcoming. Excellent reception staff, very small lobby, two elevators are fast and efficient, spacious rooms, comfortable beds, large shower and washroom, quiet. Laundry drying lines on Floor #7. Basic restaurant, but lots of food shops nearby.