Quick Answer
For booking hotels in China, foreigners should use:
- Trip.com — Accepts foreign passports, supports Visa/Mastercard/Amex/JCB/UnionPay/Discover/Diners Club, plus PayPal/Apple Pay/Google Pay/Alipay/WeChat Pay. You can filter for foreigner-friendly hotels in search results. Website: trip.com
- Booking.com — Fully operational in China with extensive listings in major cities
- Airbnb — Shut down all mainland China listings on July 30, 2022
At check-in, you must present your original valid passport (photocopies are not accepted). The hotel scans your passport and registers you with the public security system automatically — no separate registration form needed.
Booking Platforms
Trip.com is the top choice for foreigners booking hotels in China. It accepts foreign passport registration and supports major international credit cards and digital payment methods. Its key advantage is the ability to filter for hotels that accept foreign guests — not all Chinese hotels are licensed to host foreigners.
Booking.com is also available in China with broad coverage, especially in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
Airbnb is no longer available. On July 30, 2022, Airbnb officially shut down all listings and experiences in mainland China.
Check-in Process and Legal Basis
Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, hotels are required to register foreign guests in accordance with public security regulations and submit registration information to the local public security organ.
Check-in process:
- Present your original valid passport — photocopies are not accepted
- The front desk scans your passport information page and enters it into the public security management system
- The hotel handles registration on your behalf — no separate form required
If a hotel is not licensed to receive foreign guests, it has the right to refuse check-in.
24-Hour Registration Rule
If you stay somewhere other than a hotel (friend's home, rented apartment), you must register at the local public security organ within 24 hours of arrival.
Under Article 39, Paragraph 2 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, foreigners residing or staying at a place other than a hotel must, within 24 hours of arrival, register in person or through the host at the local public security organ.
- Online registration pilot launched in 7 provinces since March 2026 (via the 12367 App, WeChat mini-program, or Alipay mini-program)
- Failure to register: warning, with possible fine up to ¥2,000
Hotel Star Rating and Green Hotels
- National standard: GB/T 14308-2023, rated 1–5 stars, valid for 3 years
- Green hotels: GB/T 21084-2007 and LB/T 007-2015, with Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf grades
Price Reference
- Budget hotels (e.g., Hanting, Home Inn): approx. ¥150–300/night
- Mid-range hotels: approx. ¥400–800/night
- International 5-star: approx. ¥800–2,000+/night
- Youth hostels: approx. ¥50–120/night
Practical Tips
- Use Trip.com and enable the foreigner-friendly filter
- Always carry your original passport — photocopies are not accepted
- Keep your booking confirmation handy
- Follow the 24-hour registration rule if staying outside a hotel
- Book 1–2 months ahead during peak holiday seasons
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