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Foreign owned hostels in China?

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StephanieC started this discussion 14 years 3 weeks ago

Hi all,

I've recently moved to Shanghai from the US and will remain here for the next couple of years learning mandarin/potentially opening a hostel in China. I realize owning/operating a hostel in China, for a foreigner, can be especially difficult. I'm hoping you guys can help me get in touch with hostel owners, particularly foreign hostel owners in China. If you guys know of such hostels, I'd appreciate any and all information. Thanks!

Stephanie

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rmzhao82

13 years

Hi Stephanie,

Perhaps it's a bit late to post this reply, but here it goes. . .

I've been living in China for quite some time and it is my understanding that all foreigners opening businesses in China must have a Chinese business partner. My husband (Chinese) and I (American) are in the process of trying to open a hostel in China ourselves. We are in the beginning stages and it is somewhat challenging. Guanxi (the Chinese concept of forming "relationships," i.e. networking) is incredibly important in opening a business. Get to know as many people as you can--particularly if they are in the local government or police or have close relationships to such people. This can make the process much easier. I'm going to try to keep some kind of record of my experiences in hopes that I can help other foreigners who plan to set up hostels in China.

Good luck.

Rosie

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Green Mango

13 years

Hi, this is interesting question. I am ethnic Chinese whose ancestors migrated to the Philippines 2 centuries ago, still 100% Chinese & speak some Mandarin too, but a foreign citizen legally. Pls share your experiences? Hi Rosie, where do you plan to open a hostel, what city and why? Also Stephanie, any ideas ever since your stay in Shanghai?

I think China's booming tourism industry is interesting. As an ethnic Chinese, I hope my similar cultural background can help a bit?

Rosie, is it true that aside from having a Chinese business partner, foreign-owned businesses should be big or of a certain minimum size?

Thanks. Regards to you. Hope you both visit the Philippines and our world-famous beach isles like Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, etc? Email me private message or [email][email protected][/email]

Best wishes!

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rmzhao82

13 years

Hi Green Mango,

My husband and I are planning on opening a hostel in Chengde, Hebei Province. This has long been a dream of mine (both to open a hostel and to do it in Chengde). This is my husband's hometown and it sees a lot of tourists (both foreign and domestic) because of it's sites (the World Heritage Site, The Imperial Summer Mountain Villa and the Eight Outer Temples; 避暑山庄，外八庙). To our knowledge there are no hostels here and budget hotels do not have the licensing to accept foreign guests.

I'm not sure if and what the minimum requirements are for foreign ownership in businesses (in terms of staff? revenue? square footage?).

Rosie

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zomac

13 years

Banana hostel in Haikou, Hainan is owned by a British and said to be the first foreigner-owned hostel in China. I think buying a badly operated hostel would be easier to start everything from scratch. At least they should have had all licenses you need to run it.

As far as i know, Chengdu (Sim's Cozy House) and Sanya (Sanya Backpackers) were /are owned by Singaporean Chinese. The former one was rated #1 or #2 a year ago before the Singaporean/Japanese couple sold it. The latter one is currently #1 in hostelworld in Sanya.

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Metha

13 years

Hi Stephanie,
I live in Qinhuangdao and one of my friend has been to Chengde recently. He had some trouble finding out his accommodation. I can confirm you that at the moment there aren't hotels with a license to accept foreign guests.

Marco

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Green Mango

12 years

Hi, any updates on the hostel project in Chengde?

Best regards

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