Hotel Booking for Foreigners

In China, all hotels must register foreign guests with the local police within 24 hours of check-in. Not every hotel has the licence to accept foreigners. If you book a hotel that cannot register you, you will be turned away at the door - even if you paid.

Always check the listing for "外宾可接待" (accepts foreign guests) before booking.

That duty belongs to the hotel, not to you. If you are staying anywhere that is not a hotel, the registration becomes yours to file - our accommodation registration guide covers how.

Foreigner policy: Does the listing explicitly say "外宾可接待"? If unsure, message the hotel directly on the platform or call.

Registration licence: Smaller guesthouses, Airbnbs in residential buildings, and some budget chains cannot register foreigners. When in doubt, stick to 3-star and above.

Real room photos: Chinese hotel listings often use heavily edited photos. Check the "real guest photos" (实拍图) section. Look for recent reviews with images.

Breakfast & inclusions: "含早" means includes breakfast. Some listings advertise a low base price and hide surcharges in fine print. Read the full breakdown before paying.

Rough price bands per night (double room, mid-week):

At ¥400 and below, confirm the foreigner policy. At ¥800 and above, most hotels automatically handle registration. Weekend and holiday surcharges add 20-50%.

You will need your passport. The front desk will scan it, take a photo, and register you with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB). This takes 2-5 minutes. You do not need to do anything else - the hotel handles the paperwork.

If you are staying at a friend's apartment or a listing that is not a registered hotel, the registration is yours to file rather than the property's. It must be done within 24 hours of arriving at the address, and since 21 September 2026 it can be done online nationwide. Our accommodation registration guide sets out the systems, the documents and who may file.