Chengdu

As of May 2026, Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Leshan have 4,054 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 53% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Chengdu generates ¥102.28 per year. High-performing properties earn ¥243.661/year, while low-performing properties earn ¥77.429/year. This significant performance spread suggests that even in a collapsing revenue environment, a small subset of inventory retains relative value, likely due to niche positioning or established brand equity.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Chengdu. Average annual revenue is ¥102.28 with 0% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to ¥243.661/year. The 0% occupancy figure highlights a market-wide failure to capture transient demand, indicating that current profitability is decoupled from standard rental utility.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Chengdu is 0%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of ¥55, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of ¥0 per day.

1-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Chengdu, with annual revenue of ¥129.681. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Chengdu market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Chengdu area. I don't have reliable data on short-term rental regulations or enforcement reality for Chengdu, Dujiangyan, and Leshan specifically. China's STR market operates in a complex regulatory environment where national hotel licensing laws technically apply, but local enforcement varies dramatically by city and district. Without current, verified information on these specific cities' requirements and actual enforcement practices, I recommend contacting local housing bureaus or STR platforms operating in these cities for current requirements. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Chengdu Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing oversaturated conditions. Supply has grown 53% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 98%. This indicates supply growth outpacing demand, pressuring returns. The extreme imbalance between rapid inventory expansion and vanishing unit revenue points toward a structural breakdown in market equilibrium.

Launch around August, 2-3 months before peak fall season (November peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 100% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (August-October) when gaining traction is harder.

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Chengdu over the last 12 months: November: ¥139, December: ¥33, January: ¥0, February: ¥0, March: ¥0, April: ¥0, May: ¥0, June: ¥0, July: ¥0, August: ¥0, September: ¥0, October: ¥0. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Chengdu is ¥55, down 90% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average ¥55/night, 2-bedroom properties average ¥70/night, 3-bedroom properties average ¥8/night, 4+ bedroom properties average ¥4/night. Rates peak in November and are lowest in December.

Guests in Chengdu book an average of 28 days in advance, down 80% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 21 days, 3-bedroom: 2 days, 4+ bedroom: 0 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Chengdu Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 53%, revenue per listing decreased 98%, occupancy fell 97%, average nightly rates decreased 90%, and lead time decreased 80%. These concurrent declines across all primary metrics reflect an environment where market liquidity has essentially evaporated.

In Chengdu, Monday sees the highest booking demand while Friday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Friday.