07 — Daily life
Hotels & stays in China
住宿
Hotels in China register foreign guests with the local police as standard practice — you just hand over your passport at check-in. The main pitfall is small inns that aren't set up for foreign guests.
Quick checklist
- 01Stick to hotels marked as accepting foreign guests when booking — mid-range chains and international brands always do.
- 02Bring your physical passport to check-in; a photo on your phone is not accepted.
- 03Prices on English booking platforms include taxes — no surprise fees at the desk.
- 04Airbnb-style apartment rentals often can't register foreigners; choose hotels for a smooth first trip.
The registration thing
Every foreign guest is registered with the local police — the hotel does it for you at check-in, which is why they need your physical passport. If you stay with friends, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours yourself.
What to book
Mid-range Chinese chains (Atour, Hanting, Orange) are spotless and great value; international brands are everywhere in big cities. The rule of thumb: if the listing explicitly says it accepts foreign passports, you're fine.
Location beats luxury in China: stay within a 10-minute walk of a metro station and the whole city opens up.
Common pitfalls
- "Accepts foreigners" isn't universal in practice: tiny inns may turn you away at midnight because they can't complete police registration. Filter for it when booking.
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