Hotels in China for Foreigners: Booking & Registration

Last checked: 2026-10-16. Rules change; always confirm with the official source before you travel.

Checking into a hotel in China as a foreigner is usually quick: show your passport, pay or leave a deposit, and go. A few things still trip visitors up. Some smaller properties are not set up for foreign guests, staying in a private home comes with a registration duty, and many hotels expect payment by app. Here is what to know before you book.

How hotel check-in works

• Hand over your original passport; a photo or copy is not accepted. Staff scan it and register your stay with the local police. Chinese law requires hotels to do this, so you do not need to register yourself.
• Every adult staying in the room may be asked for their passport.
• Staff may look at your entry stamp. If you are on 240-hour visa-free transit, keep your onward ticket handy in case they ask.
• Check-in is commonly from around 14:00 and check-out around 12:00. Ask at the desk if you need a late check-out or luggage storage.

Finding a hotel that accepts foreigners

International chains and most mid-range and upmarket hotels accept foreign passport holders. Some small guesthouses and budget hotels may still say they can only host guests with mainland Chinese ID, usually because their system cannot register foreign passports. To avoid a late-night surprise:

• Book through an international-facing platform such as Trip.com and read the property policies for notes such as "only accepts guests from mainland China".
• For small or rural properties, message the hotel before you arrive and confirm that they can register a foreign passport.
• Save the hotel's name and address in Chinese characters for taxi drivers and DiDi.
• If you are turned away, ask the front desk to suggest a nearby hotel that takes foreign guests; staff usually know which ones do.

Deposits and payment

• Many hotels take a refundable deposit at check-in, as a hold on a card, through Alipay or WeChat Pay, or in cash. It is released after check-out.
• Even prepaid bookings may require a deposit for incidentals.
• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you travel. Chain hotels usually accept international cards, but not every small property does, so carry some cash as a backup.
• Business travellers: if your company needs a receipt or invoice, ask at check-out and give the company name exactly as it should appear.

Staying with friends, family or in a rental

Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, if you stay anywhere other than a hotel, you or the person hosting you must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.

• Online (nationwide since 21 September 2026): through the NIA government website, the NIA 12367 app, the NIA 12367 WeChat mini program or the Alipay mini program. The NIA says online registration has the same legal effect as registering in person.
• In person: at the local police station, with your passport and your host's details, such as their ID and the tenancy agreement or property certificate.
• Agree with your host before you arrive who will do the registration, and keep a screenshot of the confirmation.
• Not registering can lead to a warning and a possible fine for the guest or the host.
• If you move to another private address, register again there. NIA guidance says some people do not need to re-register after a trip, for example residence permit holders returning to their usual home.

Practical tips during your stay

• Take a hotel card with the address in Chinese, or a screenshot of it, whenever you go out.
• Do not drink tap water; rooms usually have a kettle and bottled water.
• Breakfast is often a Chinese buffet; Western options vary a lot between hotels.
• Hotel Wi-Fi follows mainland network rules, so plan ahead with our eSIM and internet guide.
• The front desk can usually help write down a destination in Chinese or call a taxi.

Business trips and trade fair weeks

During big trade fairs such as the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, rooms near the venue sell out and prices rise sharply, so book as early as you can. For supplier visits in smaller industrial cities, choose a hotel close to the factories rather than the city centre to save time on the road. If you are visiting suppliers in Shanxi or elsewhere in North China, our business reception service can arrange suitable hotels near the factories (see below).

FAQ

Can foreigners stay in any hotel in China?

Most chain, mid-range and upmarket hotels accept foreign passports, but some small guesthouses and budget hotels may not be able to register foreign guests. Check the property's policy or ask before booking.

Do I need to register with the police if I stay in a hotel?

No. The hotel registers your stay at check-in using your passport.

How do I register when staying with a friend in China?

You or your host must register within 24 hours of arrival. Since 21 September 2026 you can do this online through the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app or the WeChat and Alipay mini programs, or in person at the local police station.

Official sources

• NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026: online accommodation registration
• NIA: Entry-exit and stay (residence) of foreigners