Couchsurfers get more than they bargain for

One of her hosts was 26-year-old Gu Wenxuan, who works as an agent for punk bands in Shanghai. He receives dozens of requests from Chinese applicants each day and said he has seen interest spike in the last two years.

"I don't do it to make friends. I already have enough of those," he said. "I just want to lend a hand to fellow travelers and those in need."

For veteran couchsurfers like Ryan Trefethen of Los Angeles, it serves as a shortcut to free local tour guides.

One of his hosts in Chengdu, Sichuan province, showed him her favorite restaurants, from hot pot eateries tucked away in small alleys to street stalls serving spicy hot dogs.

"I was bored of staying at hotels and eating McDonald's every day," said the 41-year-old freelance technician. "During my trips I want to eat street food down by the corner like a local."

He spends half the year globe-trotting and has already slept in over 3,000 hotels around the world, he said. He recently spent over 10 days in China as a sound technician supporting the world tour of Greek musician Yanni.

"I don't use Facebook anymore, which is like peeping at other people's personal lives without being a part of it," he said.

"I prefer couchsurfing as I love to be the only white guy who turns up at hidden spots with my fellow local surfers."

Airbnb, another hospitality service that originated in the US, is gaining popularity in China and around the world.

Positioned between midbudget hotels and couchsurfing, the website offers short-term rentals at reasonable prices so travelers can enjoy a home-from-home experience.

"In the last four years I've stayed in apartments in European countries, mostly. I think it's a value-added experience," said a Shanghai woman in her 30s who gave her name as Amy.

Together with her husband and another couple, she offers five apartments for travelers to book on Airbnb. She said they are usually rented out for five or six days each week on average.

She charges her guests 500 yuan a night, plus a one-time fee of 100 yuan for housekeeping, for a one-bedroom apartment near the city's former French Concession. Her other apartments go for different prices and can each accommodate four to six people.

She and her husband pay 8,000 yuan per month to rent the French Concession flat but can earn double this in a busy month. They forked out 80,000 yuan to redecorate it, she said.

"I don't plan on making a fortune or lots of new friends but it's nice to get a bit of both," she said.

She said the two forms of vacationing attract different demographics.

"Couchsurfers are young singles looking for free stays and excitement, while those who choose Airbnb have a higher travel budget. They may come with the family and they usually want more privacy and cozier conditions," she said.