Why Some Hotels In China 'Refuse' To Host Tourists

Imagine landing after a long-haul flight, collecting your luggage, and heading to your hotel, only to be told you're not allowed to check into the room you booked. The reason given? You're a foreign tourist. Hotels are generally used to welcoming guests from all around the world, but one thing to know before traveling to China is that some local accommodations only cater to Chinese citizens. Overseas tourists can be refused accommodation at the front desk and told to find a new hotel at the last minute.

This might sound like nothing more than a discriminatory, xenophobic practice — and, in some cases, it may be — but there's another reason why hotels claim they can't give foreign travelers a room. In China, hotels must register each guest and report the registration as part of the country's strict public security regulations. Failure to do so properly can result in hefty fines.

Over a decade ago, there were clear restrictions and credentials that kept some properties from welcoming foreign guests, though these no longer exist. Still, many hotels claim they can't accommodate non-Chinese tourists because they aren't familiar enough with the registration process for internationals. Though it can be frustrating to be turned away, it may just be the accommodation's method of avoiding getting in trouble with the authorities.

Hotels refusing foreign tourists aren't a rarity in China. However, the practice of refusing entry just for not being Chinese isn't something the government supports. The country's state council published a statement (link in Mandarin) in May 2024 explaining that travelers from Nigeria, the U.K., Pakistan, and other countries have complained online after being rejected at hotels in China. The statement goes on to say that the authorities require properties to host guests and not turn them away simply for being foreign.

The Ministry of Commerce has kicked off educational programs and campaigns to facilitate the registration process. These efforts are also intended to boost English communication between hotels and guests and "create a first-class business environment" for tourists arriving in China. The government concluded its statement by pointing out that registration of guests in hotels is required for both foreign tourists and Chinese nationals based on public security laws.

Even if officials have called for hotels to accept international tourists, some accommodations may not be quick to change their ways. Some hotel managers who spoke to The Straits Times said they won't accept foreign guests until they receive an official notice. Until that happens, you may still have a hard time finding a place to stay in some parts of the Asian destination.

Being turned away from your accommodation is undoubtedly one of the worst ways to begin a vacation. To sidestep this issue in China, looking out for red flags when booking your hotel is crucial. First, browse international booking websites, such as Trip.com or Agoda.com, to increase your chances of finding a foreigner-friendly property. Even if local platforms offer unique and authentic stays, they're more likely to advertise hotels that only cater to Chinese tourists.

On that note, you may also have less luck when searching in small, off-the-beaten-path areas or limiting your results to budget hotels. To avoid trouble, it may be wise to stick to large cities with many international visitors and, when possible, expand your budget beyond low-cost hotels and motels. This is just one of the many reasons why China is a trip you should plan at least a year in advance. Once you've found some properties that fit your needs, check online reviews from non-Chinese visitors to ensure the hotel hosts international tourists. You can also contact the booking website (or, in some cases, the hotel itself using email or the site's messaging tool) to confirm that the hotel welcomes foreign guests.