A home away from home

Tujia has well-furnished villas of different styles in scenic spots. Photo provided to China Daily

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.

Wang Lin rented a villa in Qiandao Lake, Chun'an county, Zhejiang province, through Chinese website Tujia.com. She rented the villa for a vacation with seven family members during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2013.

"It was very pleasant. We lived within the scenic spot and felt like we were inside a beautiful landscape painting. We could see green bamboo and the lake through the window," says Wang, 45, who works in media in Beijing.

"It's a good deal and very convenient for families. The elderly lived on the first floor because they walk slowly. Children like to climb up and down, so they lived on the third floor," she says.

Wang also liked that the villa provided extra services, such as a shuttle bus to pick them up at the airport and a butler service.