Start here
Get the hotel’s confirmation for your own booking: passport check-in, arrival time, deposit and Chinese address. Save that conversation with the booking details.
Choose by the journeys you will make
Our suggestion is to compare hotel locations against your actual airport, railway station, ferry departure and daily plans. A property described as “central” may still be awkward for your arrival.
Look at walking distances, the number of transfers and whether you will be arriving after public transport stops. For a very early departure, an easy transfer may matter more than proximity to a sightseeing spot.
Send a short confirmation message
Hello, I have a reservation for [dates] under [name]. I will check in with a [country] passport and expect to arrive at [time]. Please confirm passport check-in, late-arrival arrangements, any deposit and the accepted payment methods. Please also send your Chinese name, full address and entrance location.
Send the message through the booking platform or the hotel’s published contact channel. Replace the bracketed details yourself; there is no need to send a full passport scan with this initial question.
At reception
The Ministry of Commerce’s guidance says hotels can handle residence registration using your valid passport or other accepted travel document. It also advises confirming international-card acceptance with the hotel.
Keep your original document, booking reference and payment method ready. Ask for a receipt for any deposit and a clear explanation of how and when it will be returned. If your card has a pending hold, check with the hotel and issuer before making a duplicate payment.
If the booking and reception disagree
- Show the written confirmation and ask the reception team to check the reservation.
- Contact the booking platform using the support channel inside your booking.
- Record the reason given and ask what alternative or refund process is available.
- If you need to relocate, confirm the replacement property before travelling there.
One traveller’s experience does not establish a rule for every hotel. This site has not audited individual hotels or their registration procedures.
If you stay outside a hotel, check the official accommodation-registration requirements for that arrangement rather than assuming your booking platform completes them.