China: Where you can sleep wherever, whenever

Weary China travelers can fall in with the local custom of snatching 40 winks at any opportunity

By Gillian Bolsover 21 March, 2012

Move along, nothing to see here

Security guards stationed on Huamu Lu between the Metro Line 2 station and the entrance of Shanghai Century Park take regular snooze intervals at work. They'll wake up if something serious happens. Right?

"I trust my customers to wake me up."

In a bustling market in Shanghai's Hongkou district, this stall holder takes a quick nap on a Saturday afternoon. Given that there are several other fruit stalls nearby, the soft sound of snoring is unlikely to increase business.

In another world

In mid-afternoon in Shanghai's former French concession, a man slumps in his chair with a T-shirt over his head. In Shanghai, residents of old-style housing often sleep outdoors in summer. Accessories for a comfortable summer night -- from bamboo mattress covers to wooden slat pillows -- are sold in shops across the city.

It may not be comfortable, but it’s mine

In the bright afternoon sun on Shanghai’s main street, Shimen Yi Lu, this motorcycle driver pulled over for a quick rest.

Being on holiday is such hard work

At least one visitor found Beijing’s Forbidden City (紫禁城) a bit overwhelming. Will napping where the Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) once took a stroll result in fortuitous dreams?

The rain will keep it clean

On a rainy day on Hangzhou’s Three Pools Mirroring the Moon Island (三潭印月), a sanitation worker takes shelter beneath a pavilion. Since the island is almost always spotless, it's fair to assume that for the moment her work is done.

Teacher will never find us here

On a school trip to the ancient village of Xidi (西递), near Huangshan Mountain in southern Anhui Province, two students take a break in one of the village’s lesser-visited halls. At nearby tables, fellow students play cards, talk or sketch the village’s famous pastoral scenes.

It's been a long day (together)

On a bullet train bound for Shanghai, a young couple sleep in each others' arms. After years of practice, Shanghainese make public sleeping look comfortable, effortless and, occasionally, overwhelmingly cute.

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In a 24-hour country like China, it's natural that people get a little tired.

Fortunately, in China there's an extremely high social acceptance of public sleeping.

These public sleepers show how to get some quick rest in China.

More on CNNGo: Sleep street in Tokyo

Originally published August 2011, updated March 2012

After working as a full-time photographer and multimedia producer for small-town American newspapers for several years, Gillian followed her camera across the globe in pursuit of new experiences and adventures.