Hotels in China for Foreigners: Booking & Check-in

Book a China hotel that can register foreign guests, know why the front desk scans your passport, and carry the Chinese address your taxi driver will need.

Where to book

Trip.com, Agoda, Booking.com — all accept international cards and show English.
Ctrip is the biggest local platform but is more Chinese-language.
International chains (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) and local brands are widely available.
Not every property is set up to register foreign guests. Booking through an international platform filters those out, and filtering for 3-star and above is a safe rule of thumb.

Card rejected? Many China-based hotel sites decline foreign cards. Prefer Trip.com / Agoda / Booking or pay via Alipay/WeChat Pay. See Mobile Payment →.

You MUST show your passport

By law, hotels register every foreign guest with the police. At check-in you’ll hand over your passport for scanning — this is normal and required. Have it ready.

The Chinese address matters

Taxi and DiDi drivers need the hotel name and address in Chinese. Save it to your phone (a screenshot works without data) before you arrive.

Watch out for branches. Chinese hotel chains routinely run several properties under nearly the same name in one city — two “Atour”s or three “Holiday Inn Express”es can be half an hour apart — and booking confirmations often print only the brand name, not the branch. Before you leave the airport, open your booking and check three things: the branch name, the district, and the full Chinese address. Confirm it on the map, then show that to your driver.

Going to the right brand but the wrong branch is one of the most common first-day mistakes in China.

Every city page has a copy-ready card — show it to your driver, or paste it into your map app: see Maps & Navigation →.

What to expect

Deposit: some hotels take a refundable deposit (card hold or cash).
WiFi: free, but speed varies; some services are blocked (see Internet & SIM →).
Smoking: many older hotels have smoking floors — request a non-smoking room if it matters.
Check-out: usually 12:00; luggage storage is free at the front desk.

Homestays & apartments

Platforms like Airbnb are limited in China; local equivalents exist but verify legitimacy. Hotels are the smoothest choice for first-time visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my passport to check into a hotel in China?

Yes. Hotels must register every foreign guest with the police, so the front desk scans your passport at check-in.

Can foreigners stay at any hotel in China?

No. Some budget and local hotels are not set up to register foreign guests, so booking through Trip.com, Agoda or Booking avoids being turned away.

Why was my card declined by a Chinese hotel site?

Many China-based platforms do not accept foreign cards. Use an international booking site or pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Can I use Airbnb in China?

Availability is limited and many listings cannot legally host foreign guests, so hotels are the safer choice on a first visit.

How do I make sure my taxi goes to the right hotel branch?

Check the branch name, not just the brand. Chinese chains often run several properties with nearly the same name in one city, and bookings frequently print only the brand. Copy the full Chinese address from your booking, confirm it on the map, and show that text to the driver.

Do Chinese hotels charge a deposit?

Often yes, as a card hold or cash. It is released at check-out once the room has been checked.

Last updated: 2026-08