Hotels & Staying FAQ

Legally, yes, but practically, some cheap or budget hotels may still turn you away. While Chinese authorities have officially declared that all hotels should be open to foreign guests, many budget properties (especially those on local-only apps) lack the registration software or training to process foreign passports.

• Reddit Reality Check: According to widespread reports on Reddit, budget chains (like HanTing or 7 Days Inn) or rural guesthouses might still claim they "cannot host foreigners" (接待外宾) because they don't know how to register your passport with the local police.
• How to Avoid This: To prevent being stranded at night, always book through international platforms like Trip.com, Booking.com, or Agoda. On these sites, properties are pre-vetted to ensure they can legally and easily check in foreign passport holders.

Trip Hotel Booking Link

Yes, Chinese law requires all foreigners to register their temporary residence within 24 hours of arrival. However, when staying at a licensed hotel, the front desk will handle this registration process for you automatically during check-in.

• What to Expect: The hotel staff will take a photo of your passport photo page, your Chinese visa, and your entry stamp. They will upload this directly to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) system.
• Pro Tip: Always ask the front desk for a printed "Registration Form of Temporary Residence" (临时住宿登记表) or keep a photo of the digital receipt on your phone. You may need this document for certain visa extensions, train ticket verifications, or emergency police checks.

Trip.com (the international arm of Ctrip) is undisputed as the best platform for booking hotels in China.

• Comparison Breakdown:

  Platform	Foreign Cards Supported?	Foreigner-Friendly Filter?	Customer Support
  Trip.com	Yes (Fee-Free)	Built-in (100% Verified)	Excellent (24/7 English)
  Booking.com	Yes	Decent, but some listings outdated	Moderate
  Meituan / Ctrip (Local Apps)	Yes (via Alipay)	Hard to navigate in English	Chinese only

• Why Trip.com Wins: Their inventory of Chinese hotels is massive, they guarantee the hotel will accept your passport, and their English-speaking customer support is highly effective at mediating with local hotel staff if any check-in issues arise.

Trip Hotel Booking Link

Yes, most mid-range to luxury hotels in China require a temporary security deposit (Yajin) at check-in to cover potential room damages or incidental expenses.

• Payment Methods: You can pay the deposit using cash, WeChat Pay, Alipay, or credit cards.
• Reddit Warning: If you pay the deposit using a foreign credit card, the authorization hold can sometimes take 2 to 4 weeks to be refunded to your account after you check out.
• Best Practice: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for the deposit. The authorization release is virtually instantaneous once the front desk processes your check-out.

No. Hotel Wi-Fi networks in mainland China are subject to the Great Firewall (GFW), which blocks foreign websites and apps like Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

YouTube Travel Hack: To stay connected, do not rely on hotel Wi-Fi alone.

• Option A: Install a reliable, China-working VPN (like Astrill or local shadow-socks protocols) on your devices before you arrive in China.
• Option B: Use an international travel eSIM (like Airalo or Nomad) or data roaming from your home carrier. When using roaming/eSIM cellular data, your internet traffic is routed through your home country, bypassing the Great Firewall entirely without a VPN.

Generally, no. Homestays are much more complex for foreigners because you must manually register your stay at the local police station (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival.

• The Hassle Factor: Unlike hotels, Airbnb-style hosts rarely register you automatically. You will have to go to the nearest local police station yourself, accompanied by your host (or with the host's property ownership documents and ID), to register. Failing to do so can result in hefty fines.
• Recommendation: Stick to traditional hotels or serviced apartments that explicitly advertise automated check-in registration for international guests.

Online channels for the Accommodation Registration for Foreigners Residing or Staying in Domiciles Other Than Hotels

Yes, this is a mandatory requirement under Chinese law (Exit and Entry Administration Law). All holders of foreign passports must register their temporary accommodation with the local public security bureau (police station) within 24 hours of check-in (72 hours in rural areas).

• Serious Community Warning: According to firsthand experiences of Reddit users, failure to register on time is illegal.

• When departing or applying for a visa extension, you may face a fine of 500 to 2000 RMB, and may even be warned, blacklisted, or have your next visa application affected.

• Automatic Registration: If you stay in reputable hotels throughout your stay, the system will automatically complete this step when the front desk registers your passport; you don't need to go to the police station yourself.

Even budget hotels in China typically provide free disposable slippers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, and basic shower gel/shampoo. However, some items differ from Western hotel norms.

What to Keep in Mind**:

• Towels: Budget hotels may only provide very thin towels or face cloths. If you prefer plush bath sheets, pack your own travel towel.
• Slippers: Chinese hotels place slippers in rooms because it is culturally customary to take off outdoor shoes immediately upon entering.
• Hairdryers: Standard in almost all hotels, though budget places may require you to borrow one from the front desk.

Mainland China primarily uses three-pin Type I outlets, but many modern hotels feature "universal outlets" that can accommodate Type A (US flat two-prong) and Type C (European round two-prong) plugs without an adapter.

Voltage Warning: China’s standard voltage is 220V at 50Hz. If you are bringing dual-voltage devices (like iPhones, laptops, or modern cameras), you only need a physical plug adapter. However, if you are bringing high-draw US appliances (like hair dryers or curling irons rated only for 110V), they will overheat and burn out unless you use a heavy-duty voltage converter.

Yes, the kettles themselves are clean and safe, but they are there because you should never drink the tap water directly.

• Cultural Context: Drinking warm or boiled water is a major pillar of health culture in China. Hotels expect you to fill the electric kettle with tap water, bring it to a rolling boil to sterilize it, and let it cool down before drinking.
• Easy Alternative: If you dislike the taste of boiled tap water, hotels provide 2 to 4 free bottles of mineral water daily. You can easily buy larger bottles of brand-name water (like Nongfu Spring or Cestbon) at any nearby corner store for less than $0.50 USD.

Local Chinese star ratings do not always align perfectly with Western expectations. A local "4-star" hotel in a smaller Chinese city may feel more like a comfortable 3-star property in the US or Europe.

Reddit Booking Strategy:

• 5-Star International Brands (e.g., Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental) retain exceptionally high standards in China—often offering more luxurious facilities, better English-speaking staff, and superior breakfast buffets than their Western counterparts.
• Local Boutique and Mid-Range Chains (e.g., Atour Hotels / 亚朵酒店) are highly recommended by expat communities. They are clean, modern, moderately priced, and highly accustomed to hosting digital-savvy travelers.

** That form is called the "Registration Form of Temporary Residence." It is a very important "proof of legal residence" during your stay in China, so don't lose it.

• Where will you need it?

1. Opening a Chinese bank account or applying for a local Chinese SIM card (some mobile phone service centers require this form).

2. Applying for a Chinese visa extension or change.

3. If you encounter routine passport and identity checks by the police on the street.

• How to save it: After successful online registration, a PDF electronic form with a QR code will be generated. The police station where you registered offline will print a paper copy for you. It is strongly recommended to take a photo of it on your phone as a backup.

Whenever your address changes, you must re-register for temporary accommodation within 24 hours of checking into the new address.

• Practical Scenario Analysis**:

• Scenario A: Moving from Hotel A to Hotel B No need to worry, Hotel B's front desk will automatically update your registration information in the system during check-in.

• Scenario B: Moving from a Hotel to a Friend's/Airbnb You must re-register at the local police station or through the new city's online system within 24 hours of moving into your friend's/Airbnb.

• Scenario C: Taking an Overnight Train The train ticket itself contains your real name information, so you don't need to register the time on the train. However, once you disembark and check into a new place, the 24-hour restriction starts counting again.

** If you are not staying at a regular hotel, you must go in person with your host/friend, along with relevant documents, to the local police station to register, or use the "online self-registration system" offered by some cities.

• Documents required for in-person registration:

1. Your original passport, valid Chinese visa page, and entry stamp page.

2. Your host's original ID card.

3. The original property ownership certificate/lease agreement for the property.

• Online registration (highly recommended): First-tier cities and popular tourist destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chengdu have developed dedicated "online self-declaration systems for foreigners" (such as Shanghai's "Suishenban" or the WeChat accounts of various municipal public security bureaus' entry and exit administration departments). You can directly upload photos of your passport, a selfie holding your passport, and the property address on your mobile phone to complete the registration online without having to go to the police station.

• It's best to have your landlord or a friend help you with the process, as they are more familiar with local policies. You only need to provide your passport and other required documents.

Online channels for the Accommodation Registration for Foreigners Residing or Staying in Domiciles Other Than Hotels

No. Chinese law requires hotels to register foreign guests with police within 24 hours. Not all hotels have the system or license to host foreigners. Budget hotels and rural guesthouses often cannot. Stick to hotels listed on international platforms (Booking.com, Trip.com) or chains (Marriott, Hilton, Ibis) — they all accept foreigners.

By law, all foreigners must be registered with local police within 24 hours of checking in. Hotels handle this automatically when they scan your passport at check-in. If you stay at a friend's apartment or Airbnb, YOU must register yourself at the nearest police station within 24 hours. Bring your passport, visa, and rental agreement.