The Short Answer
Most Chinese hotels require a refundable deposit at check-in and add a 6%–13% tourism/hotel tax to your bill. Many city and international hotels now accept foreign Visa, Mastercard, and Amex, but cash and mobile pay are still common. Carry a backup payment method and confirm the deposit and tax before you arrive.
Last verified: October 26, 2026. Deposit amounts, tax rates, and card acceptance vary by property and city — confirm the exact figures with the hotel before booking.
Do Chinese Hotels Require a Deposit?
Yes, in most cases. The deposit () is a refundable hold to cover incidentals, mini-bar, or potential damage. It is returned at checkout after the room is inspected. At budget hotels the deposit may be collected in cash; at international hotels it is usually a card pre-authorization that disappears from your statement in a few days.
How Much Is the Deposit?
Typical ranges:
- Budget / 2–3 star: ¥100–¥300 per night (often cash).
- 4–5 star / international: ¥500–¥1,500 per night, usually a card pre-authorization.
- Serviced apartments: often ¥1,000+ due to longer stays and kitchen use.
Pre-authorizations do not withdraw funds; they reserve a limit. If your card has a low available limit, a large pre-auth can block other spending — ask the hotel to lower it or pay a cash deposit instead.
Hotel Taxes in China: What You Actually Pay
China does not have a single “hotel tax” line everywhere, but guests commonly see a value-added tax (VAT) and, in some cities, a local tourism tax. The effective added charge on a hotel bill typically lands between 6% and 13% depending on the property’s VAT category.
| Charge | Typical rate | Notes for foreign guests |
|---|---|---|
| VAT on accommodation | 6%–13% | Usually included in the displayed rate on OTAs; confirm “tax included” |
| Local tourism tax | Varies by city | Not everywhere; ask at booking if not shown |
| City service fee | Rare / small | Some tourist cities only |
| Refundable deposit | ¥100–¥1,500/night | Returned at checkout; not a tax |
When comparing prices, check whether the OTA rate shows “tax included.” On some Chinese booking pages the displayed nightly rate excludes tax, so the checkout total is higher than expected.
Can You Pay With a Foreign Credit Card?
At international hotels and most large city hotels, yes — Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted at the front desk and on their own websites. At smaller Chinese hotels, foreign cards are less reliable; some only take UnionPay or cash. Always carry a backup: a second card, some RMB cash, or a mobile wallet.
UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex — What Works
- UnionPay: Universal in China, but most foreign-issued UnionPay cards also work domestically.
- Visa / Mastercard: Accepted at international and upscale city hotels; spotty at budget properties.
- Amex: Narrowest acceptance — mainly top international hotels in big cities.
If your card is declined, it is often a bank-side foreign-transaction block rather than the hotel. Tell your bank your travel dates in advance to avoid freezes.
Mobile Payment (Alipay / WeChat Pay) for Foreigners
Alipay and WeChat Pay now support foreign cards via passport-linked accounts, letting you scan-pay at hotels that don’t take plastic. Setup takes a few minutes and is worth doing before you land, because many smaller hotels and all taxis prefer scan-to-pay.
Getting Your Deposit Back
- At checkout, the front desk inspects the room and releases the deposit or cancels the pre-authorization.
- Card pre-authorizations can take 3–7 business days to clear from your available balance, depending on your bank.
- If a cash deposit isn’t returned, request a receipt and escalate to the OTA or hotel manager immediately.
Money-Saving Tips
- Book on platforms that show “tax included” totals to avoid checkout surprises.
- Ask for a lower card pre-auth if your limit is tight.
- Link a foreign card to Alipay/WeChat before arrival as a universal backup.
- Keep all deposit receipts until the charge fully clears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the deposit taken from my card or just held?
At most international hotels it is a pre-authorization (held, not charged). At budget hotels it may be collected in cash and returned at checkout.
Do I pay tax on top of the nightly rate?
Often yes — VAT (6%–13%) is common, and some cities add a tourism tax. Check whether the OTA price shows “tax included.”
Will my Visa card work at a Chinese hotel?
At international and large city hotels, yes. At small budget hotels, often no — carry cash or a mobile wallet as backup.
Why was my foreign card declined?
Usually a bank-side travel block, not the hotel. Notify your bank of travel dates; carry a second card or RMB cash.
Can I pay with Alipay as a foreigner?
Yes. Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign cards linked to a passport account, which works at hotels that don’t take plastic.
How long until my deposit refund appears?
Cash is instant at checkout. Card pre-authorizations typically clear in 3–7 business days depending on your bank.
Should I prepay or pay at the hotel?
Prepaying locks the rate but you still pay deposit/tax at checkout. Pay-at-hotel gives flexibility if plans change; compare both on the OTA.
Conclusion
Budget for a refundable deposit and a 6%–13% tax on top of the nightly rate, and carry at least two payment methods since foreign-card acceptance varies. Understand the check-in rule behind all of this in our foreigner passport check-in guide, and avoid surprises by reading why foreigners get rejected at Chinese hotels. More planning help in our Hotel Guides.
Disclosure: This site may use affiliate links to booking platforms such as Trip.com, Booking.com, and Agoda. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our independent, experience-based recommendations.
About the author: This guide was written by Karl Huang, based on on-the-ground experience helping international travelers book and check in to hotels across China. Last verified: October 26, 2026. Hotel policies and prices change — always confirm foreign-guest acceptance and current rates with the property before you book.
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