USA to China to Thailand with 30hr layover

We are going from Dallas to Shanghai on stand-by then Shanghai to Chang Mai, Thailand via confirmed seats by air...The stopover would be less than 72 hours. Would I need to stay in a hotel (so they can register us) or could I use an Airbnb? How long would it take at the police station? I just need to tell the airline when I board the flight and register at the shanghai airport and hotel when I arrive? correct?