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.

✅ 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 an unregistered Airbnb, you are legally required to register at the nearest police station within 24 hours. Your host should assist — if they cannot, do not stay there.