Check In to Hotels in China for minors

Question

Helle everybody,

I’m currently planing on a trip to Shanghai with a good friend next spring and I need your help!

We’ll both be 17 at that time and we will travel alone, we will visit a friend and his family but we would like to stay in a hotel. I read a lot of different articles online considering this topic but they all tend to say different things. So I need to know are we as unaccompanied minors allowed to check into a hotel in Shanghai and under which circumstances? I already had expertise with checking in to hotels alone in my home country Germany and that worked, but I had problems in the Netherlands…

Another question would be if we are allowed to take the high speed train alone to Beijing and spend the night in another hotel over there but then return to our Shanghai hotel.

Thanks

Answer

In China, the rules for hotel check-in are stricter for minors compared to some Western countries. The minimum age to check into a hotel alone is generally 18. Hotels are required by law to register all guests with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) using a valid government-issued ID, such as a passport for foreigners.

Since you and your friend will be 17, most hotels in Shanghai will not allow you to check in without a parent or legal guardian present. Some hotels may make exceptions if you have a letter of authorization from your parents and valid ID, but this is rare and not guaranteed. It is strongly recommended to contact the hotel in advance to confirm their policy.

Regarding high-speed trains and traveling alone as minors:

Minors under 16 are required to be accompanied by an adult when traveling on high-speed trains. At 17, you are technically allowed to travel alone, but train staff may request identification and could contact authorities if any issues arise.
You will need your passport to buy and board high-speed train tickets. Tickets for unaccompanied minors are typically sold normally, but some stations may have additional checks.
Spending a night in another hotel in Beijing would have the same restrictions as in Shanghai. Most hotels will still require a guest to be 18 or have parental authorization.

Practical options to ensure your trip goes smoothly:

Stay with your friend’s family or ask your friend’s parents to accompany you for hotel check-ins in both Shanghai and Beijing.
If hotels agree, obtain a notarized letter of authorization from your parents, stating they permit you to check in and travel alone.
Always carry your passport and any parental authorization documents while traveling between cities.

In summary, unaccompanied 17-year-olds generally cannot check into hotels in China without special arrangements. Travel on high-speed trains alone at 17 is usually allowed, but overnight stays in hotels may be restricted unless parental consent is provided.

Check In to Hotels in China for minors

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