If you’re headed to the Olympics in Beijing, you may find that affordable hotel rooms are hard to come by. But here’s how to find a reasonably priced alternative.

Already bought your tickets for the Olympics, but don’t have a room?

Try a homestay with a local family.

Staying with a family in China is often much cheaper than staying in a hotel – and it’s a much more personal experience where you can immerse yourself in the culture.

A site called BeijingHomestayAgency.com can place you with a family in Beijing for about $300 to $400 a month.

The non-profit organization China Homestay Club pairs host families with travelers as part of an educational outreach program, and costs just about $40 a day.

Some of these programs may require you to teach English to the host family, or they may offer you a discount for doing so.

Don’t miss our guide to the Beijing Olympics… Bound for Beijing: A Guide to 2008 Olympic Travel.

What about language immersion vacations for the whole family? Check out this article: Bilingual All the Way: Language Immersion Vacations for the Whole Family.

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