- Mid-range serviced apartment: ¥12,000 – ¥18,000 / month.
- Register your address within 24 hours of arrival — fines reach ¥2,000.
- Monthly lets and sublets: Wellcee. Hotels licensed for foreign guests: Trip.com.
- Install Alipay and WeChat and bind an international card before you land.
Main types of short-term stay
What you pick depends mostly on length of stay — and on who handles your police registration.
Hotels (luxury to budget)
The simplest option, because the front desk automatically files your mandatory registration at check-in.
- Luxury — flagship properties cluster in Dongcheng and the CBD.
- Mid-range — international chains serve the business districts well.
- Budget — domestic economy chains offer clean, basic rooms.
Serviced apartments
The balance point between hotel service and apartment living when you are staying weeks or months.
- Luxury serviced — top operators with gym, pool and weekly cleaning.
- Mid-range serviced — usually found via booking platforms or local sublet apps, and far cheaper than the luxury tier.
Hostels and hutong boutique rooms
- Dorms — concentrated around Nanluoguxiang and Gulou.
- Private hutong rooms — modernised courtyard houses now come with floor heating and air conditioning. Confirm availability directly with the hostel before booking.
What does short-term accommodation cost (2026)?
| Type | Per night (CNY) | Per month (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury hotel | ¥1,800 – ¥4,500+ | — | Central (Dongcheng / CBD) |
| Mid-range hotel | ¥600 – ¥1,100 | — | Good for business trips |
| Budget hotel | ¥220 – ¥450 | — | Basic, clean, no-frills chains |
| Serviced apartment (luxury) | ¥900 – ¥2,500 | ¥18,000 – ¥35,000 | Gym / pool, weekly cleaning |
| Serviced apartment (mid-range) | ¥450 – ¥900 | ¥12,000 – ¥18,000 | Usually found via apps |
| Hostel (private room) | ¥350 – ¥700 | — | Boutique hutong style |
| Hostel (dorm bed) | ¥75 – ¥180 | — | Nanluoguxiang / Gulou area |
First tasks after landing
- File the electronic arrival card. Since 20 November 2025 you can submit your entry information online before landing through the National Immigration Administration mini-program or its website — no paper form. Call 12367 with questions.
- Set up a digital wallet. Beijing is effectively cashless. Download Alipay and WeChat and bind your Visa, Mastercard or Amex before you fly — you will need it for taxis, the metro and meals.
- Complete your accommodation registration. Within 24 hours (see below).
- Install the local essentials. Amap (高德地图) instead of Google Maps, Didi for ride-hailing (it has a standalone English app and a WeChat mini-program), and Meituan or Ele.me for food delivery.
How to complete the 24-hour police registration
The single most important legal duty for newcomers. Missing it risks a fine of up to ¥2,000 and can affect future visa renewals.
- Open WeChat and search for the "北京公安出入境" mini-program.
- Follow the prompts to upload your passport, visa and lease contract (or a letter from your host).
- If the digital route fails, use the official government portal — or go in person to your local police station (派出所).
Airbnb alternatives in China (2026)
Airbnb exited mainland China in 2022, so newcomers need local platforms for short lets.
- Trip.com — the most straightforward for foreigners: takes all major international cards and can filter for properties licensed to host foreign guests.
- Wellcee (唯心所寓) — popular with expats for monthly lets and shared flats; English interface, no agency fee.
- Ziroom (自如) — a major long-term and monthly platform used by locals and expats alike.
- Domestic short-let platforms — Airbnb-like services that generally require some Chinese to use.
Beijing vs. Shanghai: short-term costs
| Metric | Beijing | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term rental cost | Baseline — roughly 8–10% cheaper | Generally more expensive |
| Luxury 1-bedroom (CBD) | ¥19,000 (Guomao) | ¥22,000+ (Xintiandi / Jing'an) |
| Metro starting fare | ¥3 | ¥3 |
| Airport express train | ¥25 | ¥50 (maglev) |
Common mistakes
- The "foreign guest licence" myth. Some budget hotels once turned away foreigners claiming they lacked a special permit. A 2024 government directive made clear licensed hotels may not refuse foreign guests on that basis — but some still try. Booking through a platform that pre-filters foreign-guest properties avoids the argument.
- Relying on cash. WeChat and Alipay are effectively mandatory for local guesthouses and street vendors.
- Assuming your maps app works. GPS offset makes Google Maps unreliable in China — always use Amap to find your accommodation.
- Skipping registration on a sublet. Do not assume the host registered you; verify your own status in the mini-program immediately.
FAQ
Can foreigners stay in a hutong? Yes — modernised hutong boutique hotels are popular and now usually have floor heating and air conditioning. Just confirm the property can handle your registration, or give you the documents to do it yourself.
Do I need a Chinese bank account for a short stay? No. Bind an international card to Alipay and WeChat for daily spending, and book hotels with a foreign card directly.
Wellcee or Ziroom? Wellcee is usually the favourite among new arrivals — native English interface, no agency fee, focused on shared flats and monthly sublets. Ziroom is stronger on longer leases but skews to the domestic market.
What if I miss the 24-hour deadline? Register as soon as you realise, via the digital system or by visiting your local police station to explain the delay.
Can a short let become a long lease? Often yes. If you sign a long-term contract, update your registration to reflect the extended stay.
Essential contacts
- National Immigration Administration hotline: 12367 (English service, 24/7)
- Police: 110 · Ambulance: 120 · Fire: 119
- Beijing Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration, main hall: 2 Andingmen East Street, Dongcheng (southeast of Beixiaojie Bridge) — Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00