Airbnb operates in China, but with major restrictions that make it very different from how it works elsewhere

Airbnb is available in China, but the company does not run it the way it does in the United States or Europe. Airbnb shut down its domestic Chinese platform in 2022 and handed its remaining business to a local partner called Tujia. If you are a traveler looking to book a room in China, you will not find Airbnb's app or website working there. If you are a Chinese resident wanting to list a property, Airbnb no longer accepts new hosts in mainland China.

The reason is straightforward: China's government requires all short-term rental platforms to register with authorities, collect guest identification data, and report bookings to police. Airbnb decided these rules made the business model unworkable and exited. Tujia, a Chinese company, took over Airbnb's existing listings and continues to operate under Chinese law.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb's own platform does not operate in mainland China as of 2022; the company transferred its listings to Tujia, a local competitor.
  • Travelers in China can book short-term rentals through Tujia, Booking.com, or local platforms like Meituan, but not through Airbnb.
  • Chinese residents cannot list new properties on Airbnb; existing listings were migrated to Tujia when Airbnb withdrew.
  • Hong Kong and Macau still have Airbnb service because they operate under different legal systems than mainland China.

What happened when Airbnb left mainland China

In July 2022, Airbnb announced it would stop accepting new bookings and new host registrations in mainland China by the end of that year. The company had operated there since 2011 but faced mounting pressure to comply with regulations that required real-name registration of guests, mandatory ID checks, and reporting of all bookings to local police within 24 hours.

Rather than shut down entirely, Airbnb transferred its existing listings—roughly 100,000 properties—to Tujia, which had already been operating as a domestic competitor. Tujia agreed to honor existing reservations and continue operating under Chinese law. This meant Airbnb's hosts in China did not lose their bookings overnight, but they could not take new reservations through Airbnb after the transition ended.

Where travelers can book rooms in China now

If you are visiting China and want to book a short-term rental, you have several options, but Airbnb is not one of them. Tujia is the largest platform and holds most of the properties that were formerly listed on Airbnb. You can also use Booking.com, which still operates in China and offers both hotels and some short-term rentals. Meituan, a Chinese platform owned by the same company that runs the food delivery app, has a growing short-term rental section.

Each platform requires you to provide identification and may ask for a phone number or email address. Payment methods vary—Tujia accepts international credit cards, while Meituan may require a Chinese payment app like Alipay or WeChat Pay. If you are traveling from outside China, Booking.com is often the easiest option because its interface and payment system are designed for international users.

Why China's regulations pushed Airbnb out

Airbnb's exit was not a sudden decision but the result of years of regulatory pressure. China's government treats short-term rentals as a security concern and requires platforms to act as intermediaries between guests and police. Every booking must be reported, and hosts must collect and verify guest identification in real time.

Airbnb's business model relies on privacy and minimal friction—hosts and guests connect directly, and the company stays out of the middle. Chinese law demands the opposite: the platform must be the gatekeeper. Rather than redesign its entire system for one market, Airbnb chose to leave and let a local company handle the compliance burden.

Hong Kong and Macau still have Airbnb service

If you are traveling to Hong Kong or Macau, you can book through Airbnb normally. Both territories operate under different legal systems than mainland China. Hong Kong has its own laws and a separate regulatory framework, and Macau is a special administrative region with its own rules. Airbnb continues to operate in both places because the regulatory environment is less restrictive.

However, listings in Hong Kong have declined in recent years due to local regulations that limit short-term rentals in residential buildings. Macau has fewer listings overall because it is smaller and more focused on casino tourism. If you are planning a trip to either territory, check availability early, as options may be limited compared to other cities.

What this means if you own property in China

If you own an apartment or house in mainland China and were hoping to list it on Airbnb, that option is no longer available for new hosts. Airbnb does not accept new registrations from Chinese property owners. Your alternatives are Tujia, Meituan, or other domestic platforms, all of which require you to comply with local registration and reporting rules.

If you were already an Airbnb host in China before the 2022 transition, your listing was transferred to Tujia automatically. You should have received notification and instructions on how to manage your account on the new platform. If you did not receive this information, contact Tujia directly through its website to locate your property listing.

Planning a trip to China: what to know about short-term rentals

When booking a short-term rental in China, expect to provide your full name, passport number, and sometimes a phone number. This is not optional—it is required by law. Most platforms will ask for this information before you complete your reservation. Have your passport details ready when you book.

Payment is usually non-refundable or has strict cancellation policies, so read the terms carefully. If you are paying with an international credit card, check whether the platform charges a currency conversion fee. Some platforms are cheaper than hotels in major cities, but in smaller towns, options may be limited and prices higher. Book well in advance if you are traveling during Chinese holidays, when availability drops sharply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Airbnb in China if I am visiting from another country?

No. Airbnb's platform does not work in mainland China. You will need to use Tujia, Booking.com, Meituan, or another local platform instead. If you are visiting Hong Kong or Macau, Airbnb does operate there.

What happens to my Airbnb reservation if I booked before the company left China?

Existing reservations were honored, and your booking was transferred to Tujia. You should have received an email with instructions on how to manage your reservation on the new platform. Contact Tujia if you did not receive this information.

Can I list my apartment in China on Airbnb now?

No. Airbnb stopped accepting new hosts in mainland China in 2022 and does not plan to resume. You can list on Tujia, Meituan, or other domestic platforms instead, though all require compliance with Chinese registration and reporting laws.

Is Booking.com safer to use than Tujia in China?

Both are legitimate platforms operating legally in China. Booking.com may be easier for international travelers because its interface is in English and it accepts international payment methods. Tujia is larger and has more listings. Choose based on what is available in your destination and which payment method works for you.

Do I need a Chinese phone number to book a short-term rental in China?

Not always, but some platforms prefer one. Most will accept an international phone number. Have your passport number ready, as that is required by law. If a platform will not accept your contact information, try another one.