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The vast majority of expatriates working in China rent their housing, as they are usually living in China for a relatively short time. In many cases, housing will be provided as part of the employment contract. Within the cities, there are particular residential areas which are popular with expats.

It is very expensive to rent good quality accommodation in China's cities. Houses and apartments tend to be cramped by western standards, and although they often come furnished, the furnishings and equipment provided are likely to be quite basic. The private rental market is very new in China, and it has been reported that many landlords have only a rudimentary understanding of the concept of service and of market value. However, the real estate market in China's main cities has seen rapid growth over the past few years and there is increasingly more choice of rental properties, while landlords are now being forced to maintain and renovate their properties in order to attract tenants. Housing availability is still quite limited, however, and good properties are quickly snapped up.

If you are prepared to live in an older property which may lack some modern facilities, there are some very charming and interesting properties available to rent or buy. These are a legacy of China's very rich colonial past, in which construction was influenced by many different countries and their architectural traditions. These included Britain, France, Germany, America, Japan and Russia.

In the cities, rented houses and apartments are likely to come equipped with water heaters, modern bathrooms, washing machines and other kitchen appliances; in rural areas it may be difficult to find these facilities, and accommodation is likely to be very basic.