A passenger's video of construction workers escaping the blistering midday heat at Shenzhen Metro's Shenyun Station in Nanshan District has melted hearts online, racking up tens of thousands of likes. The clip captures the workers in a cooling lounge on Line 7, a scene viewers dubbed "a pocket of undisturbed serenity."
A screenshot from a viral video captures construction workers seeking refuge from the midday heat during their break at Shenzhen Metro's Shenyun Station in Nanshan District.
With up to 70 people seeking refuge on peak days, the original lounge was quickly overwhelmed. In response, the station expanded the area into an unused concourse corner. The upgraded lounge, stocked with chairs and tables, free chilled water, and heat-relief kits, opens every day at noon, with staff on hand to maintain order.
"Roughly 200-300 laborers are working each day on two big projects nearby — the new Yucai Middle School Taoyuan campus and the Tanglang Mountain restoration project," explained station staffer Liu Yang. "With the heatwave persisting, many now spend their lunch breaks cooling off here."
"It's cool, clean, and quiet — we're grateful the Metro gave us a place to breathe," said Mr. Liu, a worker grabbing a quick nap between shifts.
Construction workers rest in a hallway at Shenzhen Metro's Shenyun Station in Nanshan District on July 10. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily
The lounge, launched in 2024, is part of Shenzhen Metro's growing "rider-first" initiatives.
Since 2023, similar pilot lounges have opened at 17 Metro stations citywide, including Songgang Park and Sports Center on Line 6, Shangsha, Shenyun, and Huaqiang South on Line 7, and Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall and Shengping on Line 16.
Some even offer children's picture books and reading corners. Plans are underway to roll out more as demand and temperatures continue to rise.
Commuters relax in a Shenzhen Metro cooling lounge, equipped with comfortable seating and complimentary chilled water. Courtesy of Shenzhen Metro
