A room of one's own - for a little while

The short-stay rental market is being revolutionized around the world with the advent of websites that allow anyone to welcome travelers into their homes.

With the development of websites advertising short-term rentals, growing numbers of young people in China are renting out their spare rooms online, attracting travelers from home and abroad with their hospitality and unique spaces.

According to the 2013 Industry Report of Online Short Rentals by China Index Academy, 60.6 percent of tenants rent a temporary lodging because they were traveling. More than 60 percent of landlords are aged between 21 to 35, and 80 percent of tenants are aged between 18 to 30.