Hotel check-in and registration: a calm script for common misunderstandings
2026-03-15 · China Travel Today Editorial DeskMost international chains in major cities handle passport check-in routinely. Smaller properties sometimes assume they cannot host foreign guests, even when they can.
Bring: passport, visa/entry stamp, your booking confirmation, and the Chinese address of the property (printed). If staff are unsure, ask them to check the platform’s foreign-guest policy or call their manager rather than debating in English.
If you stay in a private home, some cities require temporary residence registration at a local station. Your host often knows the workflow; ask on day one, not after a week.