Chinese travelers have become big consumers of shared accommodation overseas, with their footprint extending from Asia to the United States, Europe and Australia. Travelers on sightseeing and leisure tours are the main consumers, and most of them travel with friends and families. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Tangguo now has more than 3.5 million registered users and covers villas, homestay venues, and apartments in 218 Chinese cities, and it is making inroads in 30 countries, including Thailand, Singapore, France, the US and Italy.

More than 6,000 Chinese visitors to Thailand booked through Tangguo during December 2016 to March 2017.

"I started as a private room broker between house owners and individual travelers, and I know what both sides want," Jin says.

Travelers can interact with the landlords to get information on the nearby attractions and local history and culture, and Tangguo provides a cleaning and maintenance service, so landlords and renters don't need to worry about the upkeep of the properties.