How to Book Hotels in China as a Foreigner
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
As a foreigner in China, you must stay at hotels licensed to host international guests -- not all are, especially smaller guesthouses. Trip.com is the best booking platform because it clearly labels foreigner-friendly properties and handles passport registration. Budget 200-600 RMB ($28-$85) per night for mid-range hotels in most cities.
Modern hotel lobby in Shanghai
Deep Dive
The Foreigner Registration Rule
China requires all foreign visitors to register with local police within 24 hours of arrival at each new address. Hotels handle this automatically -- they photocopy your passport and file the registration for you. This is one major reason to stay at licensed hotels rather than informal accommodations.
Important: If you stay with friends or at an unlicensed Airbnb, you must visit the local police station yourself to register. Failure to register can result in fines or complications when you leave the country.
Best Booking Platforms
Trip.com (Ctrip International) is the clear winner for foreign travelers:
- Filters specifically for "foreign passport accepted"
- English-language customer service
- Pay with international credit cards
- Massive inventory across all price ranges
Other options:
- Booking.com -- works well in China, good for international chain hotels
- Agoda -- competitive prices, especially in Southeast Asia and China
- Meituan -- Chinese-only, but often has the lowest prices for domestic travelers
- Fliggy (飞猪) -- Alibaba's platform, needs Alipay
Hotel Categories and Price Ranges
Budget (80-200 RMB / $11-$28):
- Basic domestic chains like Hanting, Home Inn, 7 Days Inn
- Clean but small rooms, often no breakfast included
- Many budget chains do NOT accept foreigners -- check before booking
Mid-Range (200-600 RMB / $28-$85):
- Atour, Orange Hotel, Lavande, Vienna Hotels
- Excellent value -- modern rooms, good amenities, breakfast buffets
- Almost always foreigner-friendly
Luxury (600-2000+ RMB / $85-$280+):
- International brands: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Shangri-La, Four Seasons
- Flawless service, English-speaking staff, Western breakfast options
- Often located in prime city-center locations
What to Expect
Chinese hotels have some unique features worth knowing:
- Check-in requires passport for every guest, not just the person who booked
- Deposit: Most hotels block a deposit (500-1000 RMB) on your card at check-in, returned at checkout
- Breakfast buffets at mid-range and above hotels are legendary -- expect congee, dumplings, noodles, fried rice, fruit, and sometimes Western options
- Slippers and toiletries are provided (toothbrush, comb, shampoo) -- but quality varies
- Hot water kettles are in virtually every room (a Chinese staple)
- Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate; international cards work at larger hotels but may be tricky at budget ones
Airbnb and Alternatives
Airbnb technically operates in China but has a much smaller inventory than in other countries. The main alternatives are:
- Xiaozhu (小猪) -- China's version of Airbnb, Chinese-only interface
- Tujia (途家) -- popular vacation rental platform
- Homestays via Meituan -- search "民宿" (minsù)
Caution: Many short-term rentals are not licensed to host foreigners. Always confirm with the host that they can process your passport registration before booking.
Booking Tips
- Book 1-2 weeks ahead for the best rates; last-minute prices can spike
- Cancellation policies are generally flexible on Trip.com -- look for "free cancellation"
- Mid-autumn festival (September), National Day week (October 1-7), and Chinese New Year (January/February) are peak periods -- book months ahead
- Hotel quality varies enormously even within the same chain -- read recent reviews carefully