Hotel Check-In Guide
Passport check-in
Hotels in China are required by law to register foreign guests. They need your physical passport — not a copy, not a photo. No exceptions.
Source basisNational Immigration Administration
What to do
- 1
Bring your physical passport. Every guest checking in needs theirs.
- 2
Don't pack your passport in luggage that might arrive separately or get lost.
- 3
Not sure if a hotel accepts foreign passports? Ask before you book. Not all of them do.
- 4
Staying at an Airbnb or friend's place? There's still a registration requirement — check how it works locally.
Double-check before you rely on this
The first-night hotel has your arrival date and approximate time.
Every travel companion has their own passport ready.
You know what to do if you stay with a friend or in a private residence.