After experiencing popularity in Japan for more than 3 decades, capsule inns have now entered the Chinese market. The first lodging opened near a long-distance bus station in Shanghai. The new accommodation style is attracting many visitors, but some are less than optimistic about its long-term prospects.
The capsule inn covers an area of more than 300 square meters, with 68 cubicles for guests to rest. Each room measures 2.2 meters long and about 1 meter wide.
As small as the capsules are, they provide more than enough daily necessities for visitors.
Each contains independent power sockets, clocks, lights, and flat screen televisions. People can also enjoy wireless Internet service at the dwelling. But many don't see good market potential for the industry.
A local resident said, 'In Tokyo, people may have fun outside and can't catch the last subway home, so they need to stay here for a night. But people in Shanghai are used to going back home no matter how late it is.'
The basic fee for each capsule is 28 yuan, and guests will be charged an extra 4 yuan every hour. The maximum cost could reach 88 yuan per day.
Another resident said, 'I don't think it's a good idea. Capsule inns can exist in Tokyo because the average hotel price is quite high there. But in Shanghai, there are top-level hotels, but also cheap inns.'

A staff member tries the bed at a 'capsule inn' in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 6, 2010. A 'capsule inn' covering an area of more than 300 square meters with 68 cuboids where guests could rest will open near Shanghai Railway Station soon. There are independent power sockets, clocks, lights and flat screen televisions inside the cuboids. Guests could also enjoy wireless internet service at the 'capsule inn'.(Xinhua/Fan Xiaoming)
But the manager is confident about the future of his business.
Ta Zan, capsule inn Manager, said, 'It's just a matter of time, similar to Internet cafes. When they first appeared more than a decade ago, people thought they might not succeed. But now it's a common thing in our lives. If there's a chance that you do a report on the topic again in 10 years, it may not be just me, but a full industry.'
Ta Zan believes that more capsule inns will open around the nation very soon.
Popular posts from this blog
THE US Consulate in Shanghai yesterday celebrated issuing its millionth US visa since 2004 and three Chinese residents won trips to Hawaii and Guam in a lucky draw. US Consul General Beatrice Camp described the occasion as "an important milestone" and said it was a reflection of the ever-growing cooperation in various fields between the United States and China. "As President Obama said during his 2009 visit to Shanghai, cooperation between China and the US is rooted in the studies we share, the business that we do, the knowledge that we gain and the sports that we play," she said yesterday during a brief celebration at the city's visa application office. "This growth in Chinese travel to the US is contributing to that cooperation," Camp said. In the past 12 months alone, the Shanghai consular section had processed more than 260,000 visas, the consul general said. She said more than 800,000 US visas were issued throughout China during that time, with ov...
A Chinese sportswear company was ordered to pay 480,000 yuan (US$76,200) in damages to the US-based footwear manufacturer New Balance for unfair competition. The Huangpu District People's Court also ordered Niubanlun Sportswear Company in Quanzhou, Fujian Province to stop producing sports shoes with a logo similar to New Balance's "N" design. New Balance filed the lawsuit last November against Niubanlun for using a logo similar to its unique "N" design and had a Chinese brand name that sounds similar to "New Balance." The US firm said it registered its trademark in China in 1983 and accused Niubanlun of making and selling counterfeit shoes since 2007. Niubanlun argued that this was not an infringement case because its "N" trademark was legally registered. But New Balance said Niubanlun's trademark should not be used on sports shoes. The court ruled the Chinese company to pay for unfair competition, saying New Balance is a famous ...
CHINESE scientists have completed a geographic survey on Dome A, the highest elevation in the South Pole, after China's only icebreaker returned to its Shanghai base today. officials from the Polar Research Institute of China said today Xuelong (Snow Dragon), China's only icebreaker, carried out a series of research on Antarctic marine system, the South Pole climate and astronomy. Choosing a location for the observatory was one of their crew's top tasks, the institute officials said. "Dome A is the best choice for an observatory concerning its location and environment," said Zeng Honghui from the institute. "Research found Dome A has the best sky view on earth. Good visibility is the deciding factor for setting up an astronomical telescope." He said the telescope installed in the Dome A observatory can function like a space telescope. Officials said the construction plan has been approved by the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research and has passed ...
|
Comments