Hotels
Where to stay in China
Pick the right neighbourhood, and make sure the hotel can register foreign guests.
Check that the hotel accepts foreigners. Hotels must register every guest's passport with the police. Most mid-range and international hotels do this routinely, but some small guesthouses can't. Booking sites usually say so on the listing; if in doubt, message the hotel before you pay.
Best areas by city
| City | Where to book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Dongcheng, near Wangfujing or the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang | Walk to the Forbidden City; Line 1 and Line 5 cover most sights. |
| Shanghai | Huangpu (the Bund, People's Square) or Jing'an | Central, well connected by metro, plenty of international hotels. |
| Xi'an | Inside the city wall, near the Bell Tower | The Muslim Quarter and the wall are on foot; buses go to the Terracotta Army. |
| Chengdu | Chunxi Road or Taikoo Li | Food streets and the metro; the panda base is about 40 minutes away. |
| Guilin & Yangshuo | West Street in Yangshuo, or the riverside outside town | Base yourself in Yangshuo for the Li River and cycling. |