A cinema in northwestern China has introduced a midday nap service for workers seeking rest during lunch breaks, attracting growing attention on social media for its unique approach. The initiative, launched in April 2025 at Lumia Cinema in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, allows customers to purchase monthly memberships to access reclining seats in two designated screening rooms on weekdays.

The service, priced at 39.90 yuan (approximately HK$47) for a single pass and 59.90 yuan for a double, offers patrons a quiet place to relax between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The two screening halls include 76 reclining seats equipped with additional amenities such as complimentary blankets, coffee, and other beverages. Disposable earplugs and eye masks are also available for a small fee of 5.90 yuan each. Customers are asked to silence their phones and step outside if they need to make or receive calls to maintain a restful environment.

According to Xu, a manager at Lumia Cinema, the service was introduced to increase weekday occupancy as attendance typically dips during working hours. The two halls, known as the Leisure Screening Hall and the Massage Seat Hall, cater to different preferences. The Leisure Hall offers more spacious seating and has proven popular among users, while the Massage Seat Hall features massage chairs that recline fully and tends to attract fewer customers. Staff advise those who snore to use the Massage Seat Hall to minimize disturbance to others.

Among regular users is a 33-year-old local worker surnamed Guo, who subscribes to the service after four months of use. He noted that napping at his desk had never been truly restful, whereas the cinema offers a dark, clean, and comfortable environment conducive to sleep. Branded as the “lying flat plan,” the service appeals particularly to younger generations embracing minimalist lifestyles.

Xu reports that more than half of the available seats are occupied on most weekdays, indicating steady demand. The concept has resonated widely on mainland social media, with users praising it as an affordable and creative solution that benefits both workers and the cinema’s business.

The popularity of midday napping aligns with wider cultural practices in China, where taking a nap after lunch is believed to support health. A recent survey by the China Sleep Research Society found that over 70 percent of Chinese adults enjoy an afternoon nap lasting at least 30 minutes. The cinema’s service taps into this tradition while providing a novel use of underutilized cinema spaces during daytime hours.