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How to Book Hotels Across China with a Foreign Card via Trip.com

Last updated: 2026-04-30

Ctrip / Trip.com
Ctrip / Trip.com
transportation · beginner
View Guide → has one of the largest hotel inventories in China, covering everything from budget guesthouses to five-star hotels in cities and rural areas that international booking sites like Booking.com or Expedia may not cover. It accepts international credit cards and shows listings in English.

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Not all hotels in China accept foreign guests — some are only licensed to host Chinese nationals. Trip.com filters its listings to show hotels that accept foreign passport holders, saving you from arriving at a hotel that can't check you in.

Searching for Hotels

  1. 1. Open Trip.com and tap 'Hotels'

    Open the Trip.com app or visit trip.com. Tap 'Hotels' from the main menu. Enter your destination city in English. Set your check-in and check-out dates. Tap Search.

  2. 2. Filter results

    Use the filters to narrow down options: price range, star rating, distance from a landmark, and amenities. Look for the 'Accepts Foreign Guests' filter if available — this ensures the hotel can legally host you.

  3. 3. Read the listing carefully

    Tap a hotel to see full details: photos, room types, amenities, location on map, and guest reviews. Pay attention to the cancellation policy — 'Free cancellation' means you can cancel without charge up to a certain date.

Booking Your Room

  1. 1. Select your room type

    Choose the room type that suits you — standard, deluxe, suite. Each room type shows the price per night and the total for your stay. Some rooms include breakfast, others don't — check the listing.

  2. 2. Enter guest details

    Enter the lead guest's name as it appears on their passport. Enter your phone number and email for booking confirmation. Some hotels require passport numbers at booking — enter them if asked.

  3. 3. Pay with international card

    Select 'Credit/Debit Card' as payment method. Enter your Visa or Mastercard details. Trip.com charges your card immediately for non-refundable bookings, or holds a pre-authorization for free-cancellation bookings.

  4. 4. Save your confirmation

    After booking, save your confirmation email and the booking reference number. Screenshot the hotel address in Chinese characters — you'll need to show this to taxi drivers or Didi.

At Check-In

Bring your passport to check-in — all hotels in China are required by law to register foreign guests' passport details. The front desk will scan or photocopy your passport. This is standard procedure, not cause for concern.

✓

Ask the hotel for a business card with the hotel's name and address in Chinese. This is invaluable for getting back to your hotel by taxi or Didi when you're out exploring.

Practical Tips

  • Read cancellation policies: Free cancellation is common on Trip.com but the deadline varies. Check the exact date and time before booking.
  • Breakfast: Many Chinese hotels include breakfast. Check whether it's included in your rate — it can be a significant saving.
  • Location matters: In large Chinese cities, being near a metro station is more important than being in the city center. Filter by distance to metro when searching.
  • Reviews: Trip.com reviews are mostly from Chinese domestic travelers. Look for reviews that mention English-speaking staff if that's important to you.
  • Booking.com comparison: For international hotel chains, compare prices between Trip.com and Booking.com — they sometimes differ significantly.