The house was built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and has a history of several hundred years, said Wang Yi, who is in his 40s.
Applicants to be hosts of the homestay program are required to provide well-ventilated and sanitary rooms for visitors. At least one person in each family should be capable of speaking English.
The 598 households in Beijing were chosen from more than 1,000 applicants as officially designated homestay hosts for foreign tourists next month.
Most of the families live near major Olympic stadiums, trunk roads, cultural sites and hutong, providing easy access for guests to experience traditional Beijing life.
The cost of each family hotel under the homestay program is $50 to $80 a night, about a seventh of the cost of a three- or four-star hotel during the Games.
To cater to the taste of overseas travelers, Wang Yi also bought a set of Chinese-style furniture for his north-facing guest room.
"This is chao embroidery, one of the four most famous categories of Chinese embroidery products," Wang said, pointing to a framed needlework on the wall.
Wearing a Chinese-style suit himself, Wang said his 17-year-old daughter had hoped to become an Olympic volunteer, which prompted him to apply as a host under the homestay scheme.
A senior high school student, Wang's daughter has traveled to several countries, where she had no problem communicating with foreigners in English.
Wang said he has bought a coffee machine for guests and is learning to make simple Western-style food in case visitors are not accustomed to Chinese cuisine. He is also prepared to act as a guide for his guests.
"I will try my best to make foreign guests feel at home as hospitality is a traditional characteristic of the Chinese people," he said, adding that participating in the Games in whatever way was a source of great pride for him.
The China Travel Service Head Office and the China International Travel Service Head Office (CITS) will also help homestay guests enjoy the capital's attractions and arrange for them to view at least one Olympic match, Zhao Xin, CITS's Olympic service center's director, said.
The Beijing tourism authorities said most homestay visitors will come from Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
China Daily - Xinhua
