🏨 Hotel & registration

🏨 Our advice: book a hotel

●For a short trip, a hotel is the simplest choice: the hotel registers you at check-in, so you have nothing to do and no risk of a fine.
●Before you book, check that the hotel accepts foreign guests (the listing or a message to the hotel will tell you). If you are refused at check-in, see Fix a problem.
●Popular hotels fill up during Chinese public holidays and the peak season — book early.
●Save the hotel's Chinese name and address on your phone (My trip) to show to taxi drivers.

📍 Most guides suggest the Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li area for first-timers (central, on metro lines 2 and 3, lots of food), and Kuanzhai Alley for old-Chengdu atmosphere.

Book online (works with foreign cards)

Trip.com ↗Chengdu hotels — English site, foreign cards accepted Booking.com ↗Chengdu hotels Agoda ↗Chengdu hotels

Where to stay in Chengdu — articles

China Highlights — Best areas for first-timers ↗Wander in China — Neighbourhoods for first-timers, families and foodies ↗Trip.com guide — Hotels in Chengdu ↗

Third-party sites, not official. Prices and availability change.

The rule

●Every foreigner staying in China must have their accommodation registered with the police. This is the law (Exit and Entry Administration Law).

Staying in a hotel

●The hotel registers you at check-in. Just show your passport. You do nothing else.
●Keep your hotel's name and address (in Chinese) on your phone — see My trip.

Staying with friends, family or in a rental

●You must register within 24 hours of arrival. You or your host can do it.
●In person: go to the local police station with your passport and the lease or property proof.
●Online (nationwide since 21 Sep 2026, NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026): NIA website, the “NIA 12367” app or WeChat mini-program, or the Alipay mini-program. It has the same legal effect as registering in person. The first time, ask your host to help so the details are correct.
●Some cities only accept mainland China phone numbers for online registration. If it fails, use the police station.

If you do not register

●You can get a warning or a fine. Hotels must also report guests, so it is easy to be checked.

Official source

National Immigration Administration ↗

➡️ What to do next

📍My tripHotel card & checklist 🧰Fix a problemCard failed? Driver confused?🪧Show-me cardsTaxi, food, hotel, pharmacy ✈️Airport to cityTianfu & Shuangliu airports 🆘Emergency110 / 120, lost passport, hospital 🧮Trip budgetEstimate your daily cost

Info checked: 2026-11. Policies change — confirm with official sources before you travel.

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