Much more than just bed & breakfast

B&B segment gives China's hospitality industry the power of sharing economy

Ensconcing herself on the windowsill, Zhang Qiuhua sipped champagne and drank in the sights of a picturesque and tranquil rural setting outside. Fluffy white clouds floated languidly in azure skies above the green hills. Her chirpy 8-year-old daughter played on the slide beside her king-size bed.

For once, life seemed blissful, a wonderful treasure; time appeared to stand still - and even the barks of dogs in the backyard sounded like part of the background shrill symphony led by cicadas in the bamboo forest that the wooden villa overlooked.