It's the same in China for most hotels that know what they're doing. " In every other country you show them your passport, you write your signature and you pay

It's the same in China for most hotels that know what they're doing. " In every other country you show them your passport, you write your signature and you pay a deposit - done.". If you go off the beaten path or less than 4 stars hotels, then that. And not unique just in China, Japan will do it too with some places - granted mostly it's love hotels which is ironic cause they're not supposed to know whose checking in, no passport is required, but many a foreigner can't read Kanji or talk.