Not everyone needs a 12-month lease. Interns, visiting professors, people on a project, families waiting for their long-term home and anyone testing life in Hangzhou often want a short-term rental in Hangzhou for a few weeks or months. Here is how it works for foreigners.
Your options for one to six months
- Serviced apartments. Hotel-style buildings with kitchens, weekly cleaning, a front desk and gyms. Common in Qianjiang New City and Binjiang. Easiest choice: they register foreign guests like a hotel does.
- Furnished monthly rentals. A normal apartment let by a private landlord for one to six months. Cheaper than a serviced apartment and more like home, but terms vary a lot.
- Hotels with long-stay rates. Good for the first two to four weeks while you look for something longer. Ask for a monthly rate.
- Homestays. Fine for short trips, but check that the host is able to accept and register foreign guests before you book.
Airbnb stopped offering stays inside mainland China in 2022, so most short stays are now booked through local platforms, hotel apps or an agent who knows which landlords accept foreigners.
What a short-term rental costs
Short stays cost more per month than a standard lease, because the landlord takes the risk of empty months and usually includes furniture, internet and sometimes cleaning. As a rough guide for autumn 2026:
| Type | Typical monthly price | Usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished studio or 1BR, monthly rental | ¥4,000–8,000 | Furniture, internet; utilities often extra |
| Serviced apartment, 1BR | ¥9,000–18,000 | Utilities, internet, cleaning, gym |
| Serviced apartment, 2–3BR | ¥15,000–30,000 | Utilities, internet, cleaning, gym |
Prices depend on area, building and season, and longer stays get better rates. Compare with long-term rents in our guide to the best areas to live in Hangzhou.
Police registration still applies
Hotels and most serviced apartments register you automatically. In a private rental, you or your host must register your address with the police within 24 hours. Since March 2026 Zhejiang has been piloting online registration through the NIA 12367 app and its mini-programs. For a first registration at a new address the host usually helps. Our step-by-step guide explains police registration in Hangzhou.
What to check before you book
- That the landlord or operator accepts foreign guests and will help with registration.
- What is included: utilities, internet speed, cleaning, towels and bedding.
- The deposit (often one month) and how quickly it is returned.
- Whether you can extend, and at what price, if your long-term home is not ready.
- Photos and video of the actual unit, not just the building.
A short stay can save money
If you arrive without a home, booking four to six weeks of short-term accommodation gives you time to view long-term homes in person and avoid a rushed decision. When you are ready, our guide to renting an apartment in Hangzhou walks you through the process, and the first-week checklist covers SIM cards, payments and paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners rent short-term in Hangzhou?
Yes. Foreigners can stay in serviced apartments, hotels and furnished monthly rentals. The host or the guest must register the stay with the police within 24 hours.
What is the minimum rental period in Hangzhou?
Standard leases are 12 months. Furnished short-term rentals usually start at one month, and serviced apartments can be booked by the night, week or month.
Is Airbnb available in Hangzhou?
Airbnb stopped offering stays in mainland China in 2022. Short stays are booked through local platforms, hotel apps or a rental agent.