Guangzhou

As of May 2026, Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen have 4,375 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 51% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Guangzhou generates ¥409.677 per year. High-performing properties earn ¥6K/year, while low-performing properties earn ¥35.633/year. The massive earnings disparity suggests that a tiny fraction of listings captures nearly all available market value, highlighting an extreme concentration of revenue despite stagnant overall demand.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Guangzhou. Average annual revenue is ¥409.677 with 0% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to ¥6K/year. The near-zero occupancy metrics indicate that current revenue is likely driven by isolated outliers rather than broad market activity, signaling a highly fragmented and challenging environment for typical operators.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Guangzhou is 0%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of ¥201, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of ¥2 per day.

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

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Guangzhou area. Guangzhou: Moderate. Registration with police required, property ownership proof needed. Enforcement inconsistent - major platforms monitored but individual hosts often operate informally. Foshan: Lenient. Minimal formal requirements, business registration recommended. Light enforcement, many unlicensed operations tolerate. Dongguan: Lenient. Basic registration expected but rarely enforced. Large informal market exists with minimal government intervention. Shenzhen: Moderate. Police registration mandatory, fire safety standards required. Periodic crackdowns but enforcement varies by district. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Guangzhou Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing oversaturated conditions. Supply has grown 51% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 87%. This indicates supply growth outpacing demand, pressuring returns. Rapid inventory expansion amid plummeting revenue figures illustrates a market where new entrants face immediate headwinds and significant downward pressure on asset utilization.

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 Guangzhou over the last 12 months: November: ¥566, December: ¥86, 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 Guangzhou is ¥201, down 59% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average ¥142/night, 2-bedroom properties average ¥536/night, 3-bedroom properties average ¥152/night, 4+ bedroom properties average ¥4/night. Rates peak in November and are lowest in December.

Guests in Guangzhou book an average of 27 days in advance, down 81% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 27 days, 2-bedroom: 18 days, 3-bedroom: 27 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 Guangzhou Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 51%, revenue per listing decreased 87%, occupancy fell 96%, average nightly rates decreased 59%, and lead time decreased 81%. These synchronized declines across all performance indicators point to a broad structural contraction, severely limiting the potential for sustainable revenue generation.

In Guangzhou, Monday sees the highest booking demand while Friday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Thursday. Weekends show 20% lower occupancy than weekdays.