The short answer
- Hotels register your stay with the police at check-in using your passport.
- Staying in a private home? Register at the local police station, normally within 24 hours in cities.
- Confirm when you book that the hotel accepts foreign passports.
- Save the hotel's name and address in Chinese.
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Hotel check-in
Bring your passport; the hotel scans it and registers your stay with the local police automatically. A deposit is usually taken by card or Alipay.
Choosing a hotel
- Confirm that the hotel accepts foreign passports.
- For business trips, stay close to your meetings or the fair; traffic can make short distances slow.
- During major fairs and holidays, book early. Prices rise sharply.
Staying in a private home
Foreigners must register their accommodation. If you stay with friends, family or in a private rental, go to the local police station with your passport and your host's details, normally within 24 hours of arrival in cities.
Questions
Do all hotels in China accept foreigners?
Most international chains and many Chinese hotels do, and more hotels accept foreign guests than in the past. Some smaller hotels still cannot register foreign passports, so confirm when you book.
What if I stay with friends in China?
You or your host must register your stay at the local police station, normally within 24 hours of arrival in cities. Bring your passport and your host's details.
Rules change. We re-check this guide regularly; confirm details before you travel or ship.
