The hotel or hostel will do it for you, if they are properly registered to take foreigners (they'll know if they are or not). You really only have to worry if you're staying at an apartment or something.

Screw that. How are they gonna know it's you?

It's their business to know who you are, you are a foreigner and you stick out like a sore thumb. The police anywhere know who is who because that is their job, especially the police who have been working somewhere for a long time

I spent four months traveling around western China filming a rafting drama that was supposed to be on CCTV. I think I gave my passport to one hotel out of the dozens we used and gave it to the cops once when the "suggested" that we leave the Tibet area (this was during the riots and Olympics, but they said we could come back after the closing ceremony).

The most, most important time to do it is any time you leave the country. For example say you're living in Xiamen you've registered yourself there for your apartment and then you decide to go to Hong Kong or Japan or something for just a few days. You come back to the same house and think "Well, I'm already registered here what's the big deal?" Wrong. If your last entry stamp on your passport does not match the date on your last registration that can be big problems. It's really dumb if you're only going on vacay but whatever. The process is quite fast, that's not the problem. But I have gone several times only to find out the workers were on their 3 hour lunch break or they decided they were finished working for the day even though they don't close for another hour. So make sure you go in the morning

It's their business to know who you are, you are a foreigner and you stick out like a sore thumb. The police anywhere know who is who because that is their job, especially the police who have been working somewhere for a long time

I once lived in my apartment for four months without registering. The fuzz had no idea I was there. The jig was only up when they were doing door to door checks and happened to stumble upon me. My punishment? Being politely asked to go to the station to register.

Actually there is not much need to register anything, they just don't care. As for registering after coming back from a foreign country, I did it once and the PSB cop told me (with a bored look on his face) that next time I don't need to come

I have never registered and stay almost exclusively in an appartment. I have never had a problem. So personally I dont buy the theory of checking your PSB against your visa on departure.*

*The above is personal opinion only and should not be taken as legal advice. For legal advice on this matter please refer to Cinsese immigration...

Some of the answers given really sound like coming from frustrated persons.

First let's clear the air, there are two very different Chinese documents with very similar and confusing (to many) names. You go to PSB for your Residence Permit request or renewal, whatever the case. You go to the local Police Station closest to where your apartment is located to request your "Registration Form of Temporary Residence". For this one you will need one or two (depends on clerk) 2" x 2" color photos of you (so called passport types) mwith a clear or white background, facing camera, no dark glasses or hats, no hair over ears. Plus your Passport with photocopy of information page (the one where your photo is), also copy of page where current Chinese visa is at, plus another of page where your last entry stamp was punched. Fill a form and within 3 to 5 days you get the Permit. It is free, no charge.

Now, the ;law clearly says ALL FOREIGNERS while in China, makes no difference the type of visa, if you stay on a private home, you MUST register with the closest Local Police Station to you within 24 hours of arrival if in a city, or within 72 hours if in countryside. Of course, you do as you please. I have entered and departed China at least 3 to 4 times for tha last 15 years and npo one ever asked for this permit at Airport. BUT, WHEN I VISIT PSB for any business, renewals, etc, I must show both my passport and the Temporary Residence Registration Form before I am allowed to say Good Morning.

So, get it or do not get it, but later do not cry wolf if caught.

And by the way, if staying on hotels authorized to have foreigners as guests (or similar establishments), they are responsible for doing it for you. But if you stay at a friend's home, then you must do it yourself.

If you are  on a Student Visa then it is a must. If not then you will have a problem to renew your Visa in the same City.

If you are staying in a hotel or hostel, registering is not required since the hotel takes care of that for you.  If you stay at a friends home, or a non-hotel, then you are required to do so within 48 hours.  Though, in 5.5 years, I have only been asked for my residence card once.

so if a hostel asks you to go to the PSB with them are they registered to have foreign guests and do i need to show my residence permit?

So currently i am in the hotel in such a shady area. It seems they want me to go as it will be more like a residence then a hotel and kinda by pass the law. They wanted me to go with them to the PSB with a Chinese staff member on the day i arrived after my longgg train journey. Its advertised this place on all major hotel booking sites but i don't trust them, i have booked 4 nights but i am going to leave tomorrow and try claim a refund through site i booked through saying they are not registered. I don't fancy wasting my holiday in the PSB with a form i all ready have or something that i sign to i don't no what is.