China's tourism industry, both domestic and foreign inbound, continues to grow at a rapid pace. In 2005, over 120 million foreign tourists visited China producing revenue in excess of USD 29 billion. Most experts forecast an average annual growth rate of over ten percent in the coming years. The development of tourism, together with the burgeoning growth of western China and the country's integration into the global economy has been responsible for this dynamic expansion. 

Growth in tourism has been coupled with a concurrent proliferation of hotel properties in China. New hotels are founded almost everyday. By the end of 2005, China's star-level hotels totaled nearly 13,000, a nearly 19% increase over the previous year. These hotels account for nearly 1.4 million rooms. Visitors can find a variety of lodging options including vacation resorts, spa hotels, auto courts, youth hostels, and hotels that cater to business travelers. There are many well-known international chains represented in China. Among those are Hyatt, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Four Seasons, Hilton, Leeds, Marriott, Intercontinental, ACK, Shangri-La and Kempinski.

For all hotels, check in is generally after 2:00 p.m. and check out is usually by noon the next day. When checking in, you will need to present your passport and fill in a form. The hotels also normally require a small amount of deposit.

Later check out can be arranged. Check out will usually take some time as the hotel will check the room and perform a few administrative tasks. When checking out, the hotel will return the deposit you have paid if there is no damage or loss in your room and charge you for any additional services used (room service, phone, etc). We advise that you contact the hotel or your agent if you need an early check-in or a late check-out, as it may incur an extra fee. It is wise to bring your hotel/room card with you when you leave the hotel. It contains the telephone number and address printed in both Chinese and English and could greatly facilitate your return to the hotel.

Hotel rates in China vary based on the quality and location of the lodging and the time of the year it is booked. In general, budget hotels (below three-star) cost about USD12-USD25 per standard room/night. Three-star hotels cost about USD25-USD50 per standard room/night while the four or five-star luxury hotels cost USD50-USD75 or even much higher per standard room/night. Accommodations are more luxurious in the large and thriving cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xian and Shenzhen. Fewer luxury hotels can be found in smaller cities or remote areas. However, there are plenty of economical or standard hotels away from the larger cities that are clean, comfortable and safe.

Tip: A child under 12 years old, if sharing a room with his parents and not occupying an extra bed, only needs to pay 50% for the breakfast charge; if occupying an extra bed, a child needs to pay for the extra beds as well. For a child under 2 years, a baby cot will be provided by the hotel free of charge and the breakfasts are usually free; Children older than 12 years will be charged as adults. The rules may vary in different hotels. If any surcharges occur, they must be paid directly to the hotel.

Hotel reservations for foreigners can be easily and conveniently made in China. You can book hotels through a travel agency, a booking center or by directly contacting the hotel. TravelChinaGuide, a reliable online travel agency, also provides friendly round-the-clock hotel information and booking service. Please refer to Hotels for further information and reservations.