From guesthouses to hotels, and from hotels to homestays, accommodation has evolved beyond simply relieving travel fatigue—it has become a space for mental rest and relaxation. Looking back at the long development journey of homestays, from the early spontaneous efforts of villagers around scenic spots to the rise of increasingly standardized homestay apps—online platforms such as Airbnb and Xiaozhu Short-Term Rental have become excellent choices for homestay enthusiasts.
“A room and a flock of sheep—I’ve become a herdsman too!” A tourist from Jiangxi marveled at the charm of Inner Mongolia’s grasslands, thrilled and excited. Having booked a homestay through Xiaozhu Short-Term Rental, they met an authentic Inner Mongolian host who enthusiastically shared many interesting folk stories and customs, allowing the guests to learn a great deal about local culture during their stay.
Wearing traditional ethnic costumes, galloping across the grassland on horseback, and experiencing herding-family hospitality. Local specialties like butter tea, milk tea, yogurt, pilaf, grilled meat, and guokui are very popular among tourists.
“Because homestay booking apps have a review system, customers’ star ratings can greatly influence the decisions of future guests. As a result, hosts take guests’ experiences very seriously. I’ve traveled to many cities and stayed in many homestays, and almost every experience has been very satisfying. I really appreciate this kind of trust and warmth between strangers,” said a tourist from Liaoning.
“These homestays are one of our featured tourism projects this year. The thoughtfully designed accommodations offer scenic views everywhere, making them a dream destination especially for girls who love taking photos,” said Ding, a student from Hunan.
Unique homestays can provide local residents in tourist areas with additional income and give them a stage to showcase their talents. For guests, an authentic homestay is a new way of life and a fresh travel experience. Through repeated interactions between hosts and guests, we look forward to even more heartwarming and touching stories.