Before arriving in this southern city, Shenzhen, there were a few things I needed to figure out, like booking a hotel. A friend suggested staying at a chain hotel, but I was surprised to find an even cheaper option: the bottom bunk. The price was incredibly low.

Naturally, I couldn’t miss out on this unique experience. I went ahead and booked a bed for four nights, spending just 150 yuan. When I sent the screenshot to my friend, their reply was simply: “Wow.”

Even a standard chain hotel nearby would cost at least 300 yuan.

The taxi ride from the airport took over half an hour, and as we neared the city center, we entered a dense area filled with high-rise buildings. Along the roadside, I saw what looked like a stand selling second-hand books, along with a shop offering cold drinks and Changsha stinky tofu. The high-rise buildings seemed to be office buildings, but they also looked like apartments.

It was almost midnight. I felt curious as I called and headed upstairs. In the lobby, a few guys were playing on their computers and phones, none of them looked up when I walked in (the next day I was told by one traveler that they are influencers). I remembered the first time I visited a tropical city a few years ago, and the familiar damp air. I also thought back to the winter of 2021, when I lived in a company-provided dormitory with bunk beds in a freeze gray city for a part time job. Oh, no! I had brought an eye mask but forgot earplugs.

The receptionist arrived, took my information , and gave me my bed assignment. I went up to the floor with my assigned room, but couldn’t find it right away in the living room. I glanced around, and the guys walking past didn’t seem to be rowdy or disrespectful. I asked one of them for directions and found the room. The door opened easily, and there was no strange smell. The lights were off, and it was very quiet, with everyone’s curtains drawn. That was enough for me.

Having come to this beautiful city, I felt it was important to experience this way of living. If things were rough, maybe this would be the kind of situation I’d find myself in. Of course, I didn’t dwell on it too much, thinking about workers, delivery drivers, or even those living in more cramped conditions. I had originally expected to find out where my friend had booked her hotel, hoping it would be close by. Some of the places I wanted to visit were far from the city center, so for now, this little bed would serve as my temporary resting point.

The receptionist had sent me a screenshot with instructions, telling me to put on the bed sheets and store my belongings safely. I noticed a couple of suitcases in the living room, with a bit of clutter on top, maybe belonging to someone who stayed here often. There was a large storage unit, its door slightly ajar. I placed my backpack on the shelf, and as I put on the bed sheets, I thought about all this. Once everything was in order, I lay down and decided to jot down these thoughts.