U.S. research implies that up to 80% of coal power plants have the essential characteristics required to be considered suitable for hosting a nuclear power plant (C2N). The differences in nuclear planning and siting between China and the United States imply that there are more technical and economic constraints in achieving C2N in China. In this study, we have identified a coal-to Integrated Nuclear Energy System (C2IES) project, which means siting an integrated nuclear system at the site of a coal power plant. This paper evaluates a case study on the detailed technical impacts and potential benefits of a C2IES instead of a C2N project, including initial development, power planning, engineering design, and construction. The results indicate that a C2IES project has advantages in power planning, utilization of coal-fired power plant sites and infrastructure, and improvement of economic efficiency in China when compared to a C2N project.