(Photo/Scol.com.cn)

Five simply-built shareable booths, which provide private space for people to rest, have recently attracted attention in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Sichuan Online reported.

Available from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the 5-square-meter booths, which can be found in business areas and parks, are equipped with home comforts such as chargers, WIFI, a TV, sofa, air conditioning, and an air purifier, providing some respite from the crowds.

After downloading an app and following its instructions, users can open the door to a booth and enjoy some quality alone time for the price of 18 yuan every half an hour. On average, customers use the booths for between 45 minutes and an hour.

The booths are more convenient than hotels and more private and quiet than other options. It's a nice place to rest for a short period, said a user surnamed Wang.

“We entered the Chengdu market this January as we believe that Chengdu locals are stylish, innovative and highly inclusive when it comes to the sharing economy,” said Gao Jing, who came up with the idea of shareable leisure booths.

(Photo/Scol.com.cn)

It is relatively cheap to set up one of these environmentally friendly booths, and they can easily be upgraded or disassembled, said Gao, who disclosed that each booth should last about 10 years.

Gao believed that shareable leisure booths could also be potential carriers for offline advertising that help facilitate long-term, in-depth interactions between customers and brands at a lower cost.

Gao and his team are thinking about introducing more entertainment functions and smart technologies into the booths in the future.

“Aside from malls, we plan to set up more booths in scenic spots, universities, transport sites, and office buildings,” said Gao.

(Photo/Scol.com.cn)