Now That it's Leaving China, Here Are Some Alternatives to Airbnb

So, Airbnb is closing down a chapter of domestic business in China come July, what are some alternatives?

We talked to some Beijing residents to see what platforms they use instead of Airbnb. Here's what they say.

途家民宿

“This one is a solid, cheaper alternative to Airbnb. Just like Airbnb, it will give you options to stay with a super host. You certainly want to carefully select your host based on their rating. If you are a budget traveler looking for a rustic experience, this is definitely the platform you want to be on. One thing you have to be careful with though is: never agree to any offline transactions and remember to always make your payment through the platform. Some hosts might offer you a discount offline if you book through them privately, but this can put you in hot water if something unpleasant happens." --Chengwen, Beijing resident for 14 years.

木鸟民宿

"This one is quite user-friendly. As a student, I am quite happy with the generous discounts they offer to us. They also recommend a list of places around the town, so that it makes you feel more at home." -- Yan, Beijing resident for 12 years.

Agoda

“I have used Agoda before and it is very easy to navigate. They offer a combination of hotels and vacation rentals and there are a large number of options available. Plus, if you are a registered member, you can also enjoy exclusive discounts." -- Jim, a Beijing resident for five years.

Booking.com

“I've had some really good experiences with booking.com. The interface is very user-friendly and it has loads of properties. I like that the price is totally transparent and you can choose to pay for your reservation on the day of your arrival. The only thing is they do not offer too many vacation rentals and most of the offerings are hotels. So, if you are looking to stay for more than a month, it can be hard to find rentals that fit your needs." -- Matteo, Beijing resident for three years.

 

Read:To Keep Business Coming Amid Latest Restrictions, Beijing Restaurants Get Creative 

Images: Irene Li, Unsplash