What the rule actually is
Hotels must register foreign guests with the local police within 24 hours of check-in. Hotels that are not licensed to do so cannot accept you — this mostly affects small budget hotels and some domestic chains in smaller cities. International brands, four-star and above, and most city-centre hotels are fine.
How to check before you book
- Book through international platforms (Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com international) — the listings that accept foreign guests are the ones that appear.
- Search the hotel name plus 涉外 (foreign-related) — licensed hotels use this designation.
- Call or message the hotel and ask directly: 可以接待外宾吗？
- If you are already in China and get refused, ask for the reason in writing and move to a four-star hotel — they are always licensed.
Registration, which is the point
The hotel does it for you, and it matters: your registration record is what immigration checks when you leave. Keep the registration slip if you are given one. If you stay in a private apartment instead, you must register at a police station within 24 hours — the host usually does it, but confirm in writing.
Where to stay, city by city
| City | Stay here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Dongcheng, near Nanluoguxiang or Wangfujing | Walkable hutongs, metro access |
| Shanghai | Former French Concession or the Bund | The two best walking districts |
| Xi’an | Inside the city wall, near the Bell Tower | Everything central is walkable |
| Chengdu | Taikoo Li / Chunxi Road | Food, teahouses, metro |
| Guilin | Two rivers and four lakes area | Central, easy for the Li River pier |
| Yangshuo | West Street or Yulong River | Town for restaurants, river for scenery |
| Hangzhou | West Lake east shore | Walk to the lake at dawn |
| Zhangjiajie | Wulingyuan for park days | Early entrance matters more than hotel quality |
A practical rule that has never failed: if a hotel has an English website and a star rating, it takes foreign passports. If you found it on a domestic app with no English, ask first.
Frequently asked
Do all Chinese hotels accept foreigners?+
No. Budget hotels and some domestic chains are not licensed. Four-star and above, and international brands, always are.
Do I need to register with the police?+
The hotel does it for you. If you stay in a private apartment, you must register within 24 hours.
What if a hotel refuses me at check-in?+
Ask for the reason, then move to a four-star hotel. It is rare in major cities but does happen in smaller ones.