Originally Posted by
Scifience
FWIW, this still often works—but you have to know that anyone without a 身份证 needs to stay out of the way until after registration. In my experience, most front desk staff at the type of places where this is an issue are happy to turn a blind eye to pretty much anything if you make even the slightest effort to keep it "hidden."
In 2016 you still have to play "hide the foreigner"?
Sure 20 plus years ago I had to go to certain places under the cover of darkness. But now that is ridiculous.