The short version
- Most hotels in China accept foreign guests. All international chains and most mid-range and upscale Chinese hotels do.
- Some budget hotels and small guesthouses do not. They are not set up to register a foreign passport, so they take only guests with a Chinese ID card.
- Check before you book: the listing should say it accepts foreign or international guests.
- At check-in, show your original passport. The hotel registers your stay with the police. You do not need to do anything else.
- Staying with friends or in a private home? You or your host must register within 24 hours, online or at the local police station.
This guide uses China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law and the National Immigration Administration’s notice on online registration, checked on 30 September 2026.
Why some hotels turn foreigners away
Under Article 39 of China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law, when a foreigner stays in a hotel, the hotel must register the guest and send the details to the local police.
Large hotels do this automatically: they scan your passport at check-in and the system sends the information. Some small, cheap hotels, hostels and guesthouses do not have that system, or their staff do not know how to process a passport. Rather than risk a fine, they accept only guests with a Chinese ID card.
It is administrative, not personal. In recent years, authorities in major cities have pushed hotels to accept foreign guests, and refusals are much less common than before, but they still happen, especially:
- at budget and “express” hotels in smaller cities;
- at family guesthouses in villages and scenic areas;
- at apartment-style and homestay listings on Chinese platforms.
How to check a hotel accepts foreigners
- Book on an international platform or the chain’s own website. These usually show only hotels that can host foreign guests.
- Read the listing. Chinese platforms often state “mainland Chinese guests only” (仅接待中国大陆客人) when a hotel cannot take foreigners.
- Choose a known chain if you are unsure. International brands such as Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Accor and Hyatt, and large Chinese chains, accept foreigners.
- Message the hotel for small or independent properties: “Do you accept foreign guests with a passport?” (可以接待持护照的外国客人吗？)
- Keep a screenshot of the confirmation.
Turned away at the desk? Ask the staff to call a nearby hotel that accepts foreigners, or open a booking app and filter for hotels that accept international guests. In big cities, there is almost always another option within a few minutes.
Need help? Our hotel booking service can help you find hotels that accept international guests.
What happens at check-in
- Show your original passport. Staff scan it, and may photograph your visa or entry stamp.
- A photo or face scan may be taken for the registration.
- Pay the deposit. Many hotels take a refundable deposit, as a hold on your card or a payment by Alipay or WeChat Pay. Ask how it will be returned.
- Keep your passport with you after check-in. You need it for trains, sights and the next hotel.
Every guest in the room needs to show a passport, not just the person who booked.
Registering a stay outside a hotel
If you stay anywhere other than a hotel, such as with friends or family, in a private rental or in an unregistered homestay, Article 39 says you or your host must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.
How to register
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Online | NIA government service platform: the website, the NIA 12367 app, the NIA 12367 WeChat mini-program or the Alipay mini-program. Choose Accommodation Registration under Foreigner Service. |
| At the local police station | Go with your passport and your host, and the host’s ID and address details. |
According to the National Immigration Administration, online registration now works nationwide and has the same legal effect as registering in person. The first registration at a home should be done with your host’s help, because they know the address details. Afterwards you can check your record under “Registration Record Inquiry”.
What if you do not register?
Under Article 76 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, failing to register can lead to a warning and a fine of up to RMB 2,000, for the foreigner or the host. It can also cause problems later if you apply for a visa extension.
How much do hotels cost in China?
Approximate prices per room per night. Beijing and Shanghai cost more, and prices rise sharply during national holidays.
| Hotel type | Approximate price (RMB) |
|---|---|
| Simple hotel or hostel private room | 200–400 |
| Good mid-range or 4-star hotel | 400–900 |
| Upscale or international hotel | 900–2,000 |
| Luxury hotel | 2,000+ |
See how much a trip to China costs for full daily budgets.
Tips for choosing a hotel
- Stay near a metro station. It saves time and taxi fares every day.
- Check the breakfast. Chinese hotel breakfasts are often Chinese-style buffets. Western options are more common at international hotels.
- Beds are often firm. Ask for a softer mattress topper if you need one.
- Check the Wi-Fi. Hotel Wi-Fi in China does not reach Google, WhatsApp or Instagram. Use a travel eSIM for those. See WhatsApp, Instagram and ChatGPT in China.
- Ask for the hotel card with the address in Chinese, for taxi drivers.
- Avoid holiday weeks or book early: Chinese New Year, 1–5 May and 1–7 October.
Thinking about a rental apartment instead? See Airbnb in China: can foreigners stay?
- National Immigration Administration: nationwide online accommodation registration for foreigners staying outside hotels (policy interpretation)
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China (Articles 39 and 76)
Editorial update: . Check the linked source for current provider terms or official rules.