How to Find Long-Term Accommodation in China as a Foreigner (1 to 6 Month Stays)

Finding accommodation in China for a 1-to-6-month digital nomad stay is notoriously opaque for newcomers. Traditional real estate agencies (Zhongjie 中介) like Lianjia typically demand 12-month lease contracts, hefty one-month finder fees, and Chinese bank accounts. Meanwhile, Western Airbnb listings in mainland China were deactivated in 2022.

Thankfully, specialized platforms, corporate serviced apartments, and intentional nomad coliving networks have filled the gap. Here is how international remote workers secure clean, furnished housing while staying 100% compliant with local laws.

1. The 3 Best Platforms for Nomads & Slow Travelers

1. Ziroom (自如 - Zìrú)

Ziroom is China’s largest co-living and branded apartment rental platform:

• Best For: 1-to-12-month stays in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen.
• Why It Works: Standardized furniture, smart digital keypads, included bi-weekly professional housekeeping, and app-managed maintenance.
• Foreigner Friendly: Ziroom’s app accepts international passports for real-name verification and allows rent payment via Alipay linked to foreign Visa/Mastercard.
• Short-Term Premium: For leases under 3 months, expect a 10% to 15% monthly surcharge.

2. Trip.com Serviced Apartments (Monthly Stay Filter)

• Best For: The first 2 to 4 weeks upon landing.
• Why It Works: Search for “Aparthotels” or “Serviced Residences” (e.g., Ascott, Somerset, Modena, or local boutique brands). Booking 30 consecutive days automatically unlocks monthly stay discounts of 35% to 55%.
• Crucial Benefit: Licensed aparthotels handle your 24-hour police registration automatically at check-in.

3. Local Co-Living Collectives (Yunnan & Jiangxi)

• Best For: Creatives, artists, and remote workers heading to Dali or Jingdezhen.
• How to Find: Join verified WeChat nomad communities, check Xiaohongshu (RED) using keywords like 大理数字游民社区 (Dali Digital Nomad Community), or coordinate through Villanelle’s local fixer network.

2. Navigating the 24-Hour Police Registration Law

Under Chinese immigration law, all foreign passport holders must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival:

Housing Type	Registration Responsibility	What You Need
Hotel / Serviced Residence	Handled 100% automatically by front desk reception	Physical Passport only
Ziroom Branded Apartment	Self-declaration via city PSB WeChat mini-program	Passport photo, rental contract, building address
Private Landlord Rental	Landlord must accompany you to local police station (Paichusuo 派出所)	Landlord ID, Property Deed (Fangchanzheng), Lease, Passport

3. Red Flags & Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never Pay Cash Deposits to Unlicensed Agents: Only sign contracts with established corporate operators (Ziroom, Lianjia) or through official platform escrow.
• Verify “Foreigner Acceptance” Status: In smaller tier-3 cities, some private landlords lack registration credentials. Always ask: “Can this address process境外人员住宿登记 (foreign accommodation registration)?” before paying any deposit.