A home away from home

Chinese tourists are rejecting hotels in favor of short-term rentals that give travelers a more relaxed experience at a fraction of the cost. A number of websites have sprung up to service this growing market.

Chinese websites offering short-term rentals are attracting growing numbers of tourists because of their excellent prices and the "home away from home" experience they offer.

The websites charge a commission from homeowners and real estate managers to connect them with tenants who want to rent places to stay. This type of service originated in the United States, with the advent of HomeAway and Airbnb in 2005 and 2008.