The guests say they appreciate the opportunity to live among Beijing locals.

This is a typical traditional style courtyard house in Beijing. Located on Dajinsi Hutong in Shichahai in the central city, it is one of 598 authorized Olympic Households in the capital. In recent weeks, more than a dozen tourists from the world over have stayed here.

Hostess Ms. Wang says her family set aside four of their nine rooms for guests. And she and her husband have taken English lessons so they can communicate with their guests.

Host families must be able to provide spare rooms, good ventilation and sanitary conditions in buildings with good emergency facilities and lighting. The average price is 70 US dollars per night, considerably cheaper than a three or four-star hotel. During the Games, these homestay households can accommodate up to a thousand guests.

(CCTV August 18, 2008)