How to Rent Short-Term Apartments on Tujia in China (And Actually Get Accepted)
If you’re a foreigner used to booking on Airbnb, you’ll quickly find that Airbnb is blocked in China without a VPN, and even then most listings are geared toward Chinese domestic travelers. The real alternative is Tujia (途家), China’s largest short-term rental platform. But here’s the catch: many listings on Tujia explicitly require a Chinese ID number, and you’ll waste hours clicking through apartments that will never accept you. The single most important thing to know before you start searching is to look for the “可接待外宾” (foreigner-friendly) flag. This guide walks you through registration, payment, and the police registration that every foreigner needs to handle.
Why Tujia is the Default Choice (and Where It Differs from Airbnb)
Tujia owns a huge chunk of China’s vacation rental market, especially in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. Unlike Airbnb, Tujia integrates directly with Chinese booking ecosystems – you’ll see listings from property management companies, hotel-like apartments, and individual landlords. The key difference: most hosts on Tujia have never rented to a foreigner, so they set their booking filters to “Chinese ID only” by default. That’s why your first step isn’t finding a cool penthouse – it’s finding a host who will actually confirm your booking.
How to Register and Verify with a Foreign Phone Number
Tujia’s main app and website (tujia.com) require a phone number for registration. Here’s what works for most foreigners:
- Step 1: Download the Tujia app from the Chinese App Store (iOS) or via their official site (Android). If you’re still outside China, you can use the web version, but the app is smoother for messaging hosts.
- Step 2: Tap “Register” and select your country code (+1, +44, +61, etc.). Enter your foreign number. Tujia will send a verification SMS. Note: This SMS sometimes fails if your home carrier blocks Chinese-based messages. If that happens, try toggling on roaming or ask a Chinese friend to register for you using their number (then you can change the contact info later).
- Step 3: If you already have Alipay or WeChat, you can skip the SMS step by linking those accounts during registration. Both apps have mini-programs for Tujia that pre-fill your profile.
Pro tip: If you’re staying in China for more than a week, get a local Chinese SIM card (e.g., China Unicom or China Mobile at any营业厅 – business hall). It makes registration instant and helps you communicate with hosts who rarely speak English.
Finding Foreigner-Friendly Listings (The “可接待外宾” Search Trick)
Tujia’s search filters do not have a dedicated checkbox for “foreigners welcome.” Instead, you need to look for listings that explicitly state “可接待外宾” in the property description. Here’s how to find them quickly:
- On the app: Search for a city and dates. Then scroll down to the “更多筛选” (more filters) section. Under “房屋类型” (property type), tap “公寓” or “民宿.” There is no direct filter, so you have to read each listing’s details.
- Keyword search: In the search bar, add keywords like “涉外” (foreign-related), “可接待外宾” (can host foreign guests), or “外宾可住” (foreigners allowed). Many hosts tag their listings with these terms.
- Message the host before booking: Even if a listing doesn’t have the flag, send a polite message in Chinese (Google Translate works) saying: “你好，请问可以接待外宾吗？我持外国护照。” (Hello, can you host foreign guests? I hold a foreign passport.) Some hosts will manually accept you if they’re comfortable.
Real scenario: I once booked a modern studio in Shanghai’s Jing’an district – no “可接待外宾” tag, but the host messaged back “可以” (yes) within 10 minutes and I paid through Alipay. Had I not asked, the booking might have been auto-canceled later.
Payment Methods and Deposits for Foreigners
Tujia’s payment system is deeply integrated with Chinese wallets. Most listings require full prepayment via:
- Alipay (recommended – link your foreign Visa/Mastercard to Alipay, then pay from the app).
- WeChat Pay (same process, but some hosts prefer Alipay for refunds).
- UnionPay – rarely available for foreign cards.
- International credit cards – not supported directly on Tujia. You can try using a foreign card through Alipay’s “Tour Pass” feature, but that only works for short stays.
Deposits: Many apartments ask for a refundable security deposit (押金) of 200–1000 RMB, usually paid via Alipay. After checkout, the host returns it within 3–5 business days. Take photos of the apartment when you arrive in case of disputes.
Legality and Police Registration (What Every Foreigner Must Do)
Short-term rentals in China are generally legal for tourists, but the law requires all foreign guests to register their accommodation with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of check-in. This is technically the landlord’s responsibility, but many Tujia hosts will ask you to do it yourself.
- What the host should do: They should bring your passport to the local police station (派出所) or use the online system via WeChat to file your 临时住宿登记表 (temporary residence registration form).
- What you do if the host refuses: You can go to the nearest police station yourself. Bring your passport, visa, and the rental contract from Tujia. It takes 15–30 minutes and you get a paper slip. Keep it safe – you’ll need it for visa extensions or bank account applications.
- Consequences of skipping registration: Fines of 500–2000 RMB per person, and in rare cases, detention. Hotels automatically register you, but Tujia hosts often forget. Proactively remind your host via app message: “请帮我办理住宿登记，谢谢。” (Please help me with the accommodation registration, thanks.)
What People Usually Miss
Most foreigners assume that if a Tujia listing is visible, they can book it. Wrong. The “可接待外宾” flag is not always shown, and many hosts who could accept foreigners simply haven’t turned on the setting because they’ve never hosted anyone with a passport. Here’s the trick: search for “可接待外宾” but also look for listings that say “真实房源” (real listing) or “酒店式公寓” (serviced apartment) – those are usually managed by companies that deal with foreigners regularly. Also, even if a listing seems perfect, some Tujia listings require a Chinese ID number for insurance purposes. If the host asks for your passport number instead, that’s fine. But if the system forces you to enter an 18-digit ID number, the listing will block you. In that case, you need to cancel and find another one – or ask the host to create a “直连订单” (direct order) where you pay them outside the platform. This is riskier, but sometimes the only way.
Closing
Tujia can be a reliable Airbnb substitute once you know the workarounds: use a Chinese phone number, hunt for “可接待外宾” listings, and never skip police registration. The platform’s coverage in second-tier cities (e.g., Chengdu, Chongqing) is actually better than Airbnb’s ever was, and prices are often lower. But the system is still built for domestic users, so a bit of Chinese reading ability or a translation app goes a long way.
Has this changed recently in your city? Have you found a better way to filter for foreigner-friendly apartments on Tujia, or encountered hosts who flat-out refused foreign guests?
Quick Takeaways:
- Always search for “可接待外宾” or message the host before booking – half of listings won’t accept foreigners.
- Register with a Chinese SIM card if possible; foreign SMS often fails.
- Full payment requires Alipay or WeChat Pay – link your foreign card beforehand.
- Police registration within 24 hours is mandatory; remind your host or go yourself.
- If a listing demands a Chinese ID number, it will block you – find another one.
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