Quick Answer
Hotel check-in in China is passport-first and rule-driven.
Extra steps are normal and not targeted at you personally.
If something stalls, stay calm, provide documents, and let staff follow the process—most issues resolve on the spot.
Why Check-in Looks Different in China
Hotels must:
- Verify passport and visa
- Register your stay with local systems
- Match booking details exactly
- Confirm eligibility for foreign guests
This creates a longer, more procedural check-in than many travelers expect.
What to Expect at the Front Desk
During check-in, staff will:
- Take your passport
- Scan visa and entry stamp
- Enter details into the registration system
- Possibly ask clarifying questions
This can take 5–15 minutes, sometimes longer during peak hours.
Delays are procedural, not personal.
Documents You Should Have Ready
Prepare:
- Passport (physical, not photo)
- Booking confirmation (name must match passport)
- Payment method ready
- Chinese hotel address saved (optional but helpful)
Having these ready speeds things up.
Common Questions You May Be Asked
- How many nights are you staying?
- Is this your first time at the hotel?
- Do you have a visa/entry stamp? (they will check)
- Do you need a receipt?
Answer briefly and calmly.
Exact Actions: How to Ensure a Smooth Check-in
1. Match booking name to passport
- Use the exact passport name order
- Avoid nicknames or shortened names
Name mismatches are the #1 cause of delays.
2. Expect passport handling
- Staff may keep your passport briefly
- This is standard for registration
- Watch the process but do not interfere
If uncomfortable, ask politely for updates.
3. Be patient during system delays
- Registration systems can be slow
- Staff may need supervisor approval
- Waiting quietly helps more than pressing
If it takes longer than expected, ask calmly if anything is missing.
4. If told “foreigners not accepted”
- Stay polite and ask: “Can you please confirm with your manager?”
- If confirmed, do not argue
- Contact your booking platform for relocation or refund
Some properties are not licensed for foreign guests.
5. After check-in, confirm registration
- Ask if police registration is completed
- Most hotels handle this automatically
- Keep your room card and receipt
Once checked in, you are fully registered.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- Name mismatch on booking: show confirmation and passport; ask staff to adjust.
- System error delays: wait calmly; this usually resolves.
- Hotel not licensed for foreigners: move hotels; use platform support.
- Late-night arrival issues: choose chain hotels for faster handling.
- Language barrier: use translation app for key phrases only.
Escalation works better than confrontation.
Reality Check
- Check-in takes longer than expected.
- This is normal and routine.
- Arguing does not speed it up.
- Chain hotels handle foreigners most smoothly.
Plan arrival time accordingly.
What Locals Do Instead
- Locals prepare documents before approaching the desk.
- Locals wait during system steps.
- Locals avoid peak check-in times when possible.
- Locals resolve issues via platforms, not arguments.
Adopt the same approach.
Checklist
- Passport ready.
- Booking name matches passport.
- Payment method prepared.
- Arrival time allows buffer.
- Registration confirmed.