Most international and four-star-plus hotels check foreigners in without a hitch. A handful of small budget properties still turn guests away in practice, so book Trip.com listings marked “foreign guests welcome” — and confirm by message before you arrive.
A few small hotels still say no — but policy is on your side.
China abolished the old “foreign-guest reception licence” years ago, and hotels are told they must not refuse foreign guests. In practice, some small budget properties without the police-registration system still turn people away. Book foreigner-friendly listings on Trip.com and confirm in writing before you travel.
1 Which Hotels Take Foreigners?
| Type | Examples | Foreign guests? |
|---|---|---|
| International chains | Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Accor | Yes — nearly always |
| Chinese chains | Atour (亚朵), Ji Hotel (全季), Hanting (汉庭) | Yes — nearly always |
| Budget hotels | Home Inn (如家), 7 Days Inn (七天) | Usually — confirm first |
| Hostels & guesthouses | Local hostels, Airbnb-style | Risky — confirm in writing |
2 Check-In, Step by Step
Reception
Walk to the front desk (前台). English staff at chains; phrasebook at budget spots.
Passport scan
They scan your passport and visa — this also files police registration.
Confirm booking
Show your confirmation screenshot; dates and room type are verified.
Pay deposit
¥200–500 hold via Alipay, WeChat, card, or cash — returned at checkout.
Key & WiFi
Grab the room card and WiFi password; the card often powers the lights.
Five minutes at the desk and you’re registered — no separate police visit when you’re in a hotel.
Most rooms take Type A / I plugs; the room card slot by the door switches the power on — keep it in while you charge.
3 Useful Chinese Phrases
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I have a reservation | 我有预订 | wǒ yǒu yùdìng |
| Check in please | 办理入住 | bànlǐ rùzhù |
| Here is my passport | 这是我的护照 | zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào |
| How much is the deposit? | 押金多少？ | yājīn duōshao? |
| WiFi password? | WiFi密码是什么？ | WiFi mìmǎ shì shénme? |
| What floor? | 几楼？ | jǐ lóu? |
| Can I check out late? | 可以晚退房吗？ | kěyǐ wǎn tuì fáng ma? |
| Check out please | 退房 | tuì fáng |
| Return my deposit | 退押金 | tuì yājīn |
4 A Smooth Stay
| Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|
| Book via Trip.com (filters foreigner-friendly) | Booking tiny guesthouses without confirming |
| Keep your passport handy for the desk | Leaving without your deposit refund |
| Save the hotel name + address in Chinese | Losing your room card (¥50–200 to replace) |
| Take a business card for taxi drivers | Forgetting the room card controls the power |
| Photograph your room number & floor map | Expecting Western breakfast at budget hotels |
Booking platforms compared
| Platform | Notes for foreigners |
|---|---|
| Trip.com (携程国际版) | Best choice — English, filters foreigner-friendly hotels, 24/7 support. |
| Booking.com | Works, but fewer options; some listed hotels may still turn foreigners away. |
| Meituan (美团) | Cheapest, Chinese-only, no foreigner filter — risky. |
| Airbnb | Limited; many hosts don’t handle police registration. Use with caution. |
You’re ready to check in.
Book through Trip.com, carry your passport, and you’ll have zero issues. Chinese hotels are clean, modern, and excellent value — even budget chains like Atour feel mid-range in the West.