Recommendations and User Guide for Hotel Booking Platforms in China

When booking hotels in China, the following platforms are recommended due to their wide coverage, reliable service, and support for international features, making them particularly suitable for foreign tourists:

1. Mainstream Hotel Booking Platform Recommendations

1. Ctrip (携程旅行)
2. Advantages:
   • China's largest online travel platform, covering over 90% of hotels nationwide (including high-end chains, mid-range brands, budget hotels, and guesthouses).
   • Provides multi-language interface (including English) and supports foreign card payments (Visa/Mastercard/Amex, etc.).
   • Integrates one-stop services such as air tickets, high-speed rail, and scenic spot tickets, suitable for planning complete itineraries.
   • A well-established user review system allows reference to real guest feedback.

3. Precautions:

   • Some low-price room types may not be cancelable; read cancellation policies carefully.
   • The international version APP (Trip.com) is interconnected with Ctrip accounts, and it is recommended to use the international version to simplify payment processes.

4. Meituan (美团)

5. Advantages:
   • A giant in local life services, often offering lower hotel prices (especially for mid-to-low-end hotels).
   • Integrates catering, takeout, scenic spot tickets, and other localized services, suitable for deep city experiences.
   • Often has "time-limited discounts" and "consecutive stay discounts."

6. Precautions:

   • Requires binding with a Chinese mobile phone number for registration; it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card in advance.
   • Foreign card payments may be restricted; it is recommended to bind Alipay or WeChat Pay (real-name certification needs to be completed in advance).

7. Fliggy (飞猪)

8. Advantages:
   • A platform under Alibaba, deeply integrated with Alipay for convenient payments.
   • Covers a large number of international chain hotels (such as Marriott, InterContinental, etc.), allowing synchronized use of membership benefits.
   • Offers "Credit Stay" service (no deposit required if Sesame Credit score meets the criteria).

9. Precautions:

   • Requires real-name certification through Alipay; it is recommended to complete account registration in advance.

10. Booking.com / Agoda

11. Advantages:
    • International platforms, supporting full English interfaces and foreign card payments, with operational habits closer to European and American users.
    • Covers major cities' high-end and boutique hotels in China.
12. Precautions:
    • Prices may be slightly higher than domestic platforms; it is recommended to compare prices before choosing.

2. Other Useful Platforms

• Airbnb (爱彼迎): Suitable for finding unique guesthouses or long-term rental apartments; note whether the accommodation has "foreigner reception qualifications" (some guesthouses only accept Chinese citizens).
• Hostelworld: Suitable for backpackers, providing youth hostel bookings, cost-effective and with a strong social atmosphere.

3. Usage Suggestions and Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1. Price Comparison Tools:
2. Use "Kayak" or "Skyscanner" to compare prices across multiple platforms.

3. Pay attention to platform promotional activities (such as Double Eleven, June 18th mega sales).

4. Payment Preparation:

5. Prioritize binding Alipay/WeChat Pay (passport real-name certification and linking foreign cards need to be completed).

6. Prepare a cross-border transaction-supported foreign currency credit card (such as direct payment supported by Ctrip, Booking).

7. Confirm Details:

8. Check whether the hotel has "foreigner reception qualifications" (some budget hotels only receive domestic guests).

9. Contact the hotel in advance to confirm check-in credentials (electronic confirmation or passport copy requirements).

10. Pitfall Warnings:

11. Beware of "ultra-low price" traps, avoiding transfers through unofficial channels.
12. Prioritize hotels with ratings above 4.5 stars and more than 100 reviews.

4. Emergency Situation Handling

• In case of booking issues, call the platform customer service (Ctrip English customer service: +86-21-3406-4888).
• Save the hotel front desk phone number for quick communication upon arrival.