Quick Answer
For short-term visitors, renting an apartment is usually riskier than staying in hotels.
Apartments make sense only for longer stays where you can handle registration, contracts, and utilities.
Most travel problems come from treating apartments like hotels.
The Core Reality (Why Apartments Are Different)
Apartments in China involve:
- Police registration handled by you, not staff
- Contracts and rules in Chinese
- Variable acceptance of foreign tenants
- No front desk support
- Responsibility for utilities, access, and deliveries
They are not drop-in replacements for hotels.
When Renting an Apartment Makes Sense
Apartment rentals are reasonable if:
- You are staying one month or longer
- You have a stable visa
- You are comfortable with paperwork
- You know the neighborhood well
- You can visit the property before committing
If any condition is missing, reconsider.
When You Should Avoid Apartments
Avoid renting apartments if:
- Your stay is under two weeks
- You are moving between cities
- You arrive late at night
- You do not speak Chinese
- You expect hotel-style service
In these cases, apartments increase friction.
Exact Actions: If You Decide to Rent Anyway
1. Confirm foreigner acceptance first
Before anything else:
- Ask explicitly if foreigners are accepted
- Confirm police registration support
- Save written confirmation
Never assume acceptance.
2. Understand registration responsibility
- You must register your address with police
- Hotels do this automatically; apartments do not
- Missing registration is common but fixable
Plan time for this step.
3. Review contract basics carefully
Look for:
- Lease duration
- Deposit terms
- Utility responsibility
- Early termination clauses
If you cannot understand the contract, do not sign.
4. Prepare for self-management
Apartments require you to:
- Handle check-in logistics
- Manage keys or access codes
- Receive deliveries yourself
- Resolve issues without a front desk
If this feels stressful, choose a hotel.
Common Apartment Pitfalls
- Assuming short-term rental rules equal hotel rules
- Forgetting police registration
- Underestimating language barriers
- Overcommitting before seeing the place
- Expecting quick issue resolution
These create avoidable stress.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- Landlord says registration not needed: incorrect—register anyway.
- Contract terms unclear: do not proceed.
- Access issues late at night: move to a hotel temporarily.
- Delivery problems: use staffed pickup points.
- You feel uncomfortable: leave early rather than force it.
Hotels exist for a reason.
Reality Check
- Apartments reward stability, not flexibility.
- Hotels reduce administrative burden.
- Many visitors overestimate apartment savings.
- Convenience often costs less in the long run.
Choose the setup that matches your trip style.
What Locals Do Instead
- Locals rent for long, stable stays.
- Locals inspect before signing.
- Locals register promptly after moving.
- Locals accept self-management duties.
Follow the same logic, not the marketing.
Checklist
- Stay length justifies renting.
- Foreigner acceptance confirmed.
- Police registration planned.
- Contract understood.
- Backup hotel identified.