You Do Not Know What Address to Put on Arrival Forms

Last checked: 2026-06-05 Source links listed below Use with a backup path

Short Answer

Use the first-night accommodation address. Save the hotel Chinese name, full address, phone number, and booking confirmation before departure.

Situation

You are filling airline, arrival, or entry information and need an address in China. Your hotel details are incomplete or only in English.

Before You Start

1. Book at least the first night before flying if possible.
2. Save hotel Chinese address.
3. Save hotel phone number.
4. Save booking confirmation offline.
5. Prepare itinerary and onward travel details.

Steps

1. Use the first hotel or registered accommodation for the address field.
2. Write or copy the full address, not only the city.
3. Keep phone number and booking reference ready.
4. If staying with a friend, confirm their address and registration plan.
5. Keep the same address available at airline and immigration checks.
6. Update later accommodation separately if required by local process.

If It Fails

Watch for these signals:

• You only know the district or landmark.
• The booking is not confirmed yet.
• You stay with a friend but do not know registration requirements.
• Your address is only in English and staff ask for more detail.

Stop Retrying When

• You cannot identify a first-night address.
• The accommodation is not confirmed.
• Your host cannot explain registration.

Backup

1. Book a refundable first-night hotel.
2. Ask the hotel for address in Chinese and English.
3. Use platform booking confirmation.
4. Choose staffed accommodation for arrival night.

What Not To Assume

• Do not assume a city name is enough.
• Do not assume a friend stay has no registration duty.
• Do not rely on live email search at immigration.

Traveler experience

Watch and read real traveler context

These videos and Reddit threads are related to this guide's scenario. Use them as practical context, not as a guarantee that the same steps will work for every card, device, passport, hotel, route, or merchant.

Reddit discussions

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Reddit Discussion

What was the biggest mistake you made on your first trip to China?

Sources

• GOV.CN: China to facilitate accommodation for foreign travelers
• GOV.CN / NIA: Online accommodation registration policy interpretation
• Beijing Municipal Government: China expands digital entry options for foreign travelers

More entry and documents scenarios: Entry and Documents