Chongqing — At 10 p.m. in southwest China's Chongqing municipality, the second floor of Xiexin Starlight Mall remains brightly lit. Inside Wang Zhizhi Shared Study Room, young people sit in silence in individual cubicles, studying under warm desk lamps as keyboards click softly and pages turn.
There is no front desk staff. Entry is controlled by a QR code. On a "wish wall" near the entrance, handwritten notes reflect the pressure and ambition of China’s younger generation: hopes of passing graduate school interviews, exam success, and "finally making it."
Residents study in a quiet environment at Wang Zhizhi Shared Study Room on the second floor of Xiexin Starlight Mall in Nan’an District, Chongqing. (Photo/Li Yukun)
For 22-year-old Xiao Yu, the space has become more than a place to study. “I’m not buying a seat,” he said. "I'm buying the feeling that I'm becoming better." He first came two years ago while preparing for China's highly competitive postgraduate entrance exams. With crowded university libraries and distractions at home, he said the environment helped him focus immediately. Even after securing admission to graduate school, he did not cancel his membership. "It feels like a place that belongs to people who are trying hard," he said.
Shared study rooms began appearing in China around 2019 as paid immersive study spaces. They typically offer individual desks, power outlets, high-speed Wi-Fi, printers, drinking water, and self-service amenities such as microwaves and tea. The model has since expanded rapidly nationwide.
In Chongqing, such spaces now operate in commercial buildings, residential communities, and near university districts, reflecting strong demand from students and young professionals. Industry figures cited by operators show rapid growth. The number of study-room-related businesses in Chongqing rose from 648 in 2023 to 1,476 in 2024, then to 1,579 in 2025, with an additional 347 added so far in 2026.
Across China, the sector has expanded to more than 28,000 locations, with market value estimated at 50.3 billion yuan ($7 billion) in 2025 and projected to approach 90 billion yuan in 2026, according to industry estimates.
At Wang Zhizhi Shared Study Room, monthly memberships of about 300 yuan ($42) are among the most popular options. The fee includes 24-hour access and shared facilities such as printers, refrigerators, and beverages. "The average occupancy rate is about 75% annually, and during exam seasons we are fully booked," said Luo Jianbao, regional head for southwest China at Wang Zhizhi Shared Study Room. The company entered the Chongqing market in 2023 and now operates more than 40 locations with over 200,000 members, Luo said.
The shared study room operates on a membership system, featuring unmanned management and self-service. (Photo/Li Yukun)
Operators say design details are central to the business model. Desks include multiple charging ports, including USB and Type-C, as well as wireless charging pads. Lighting is adjustable to reduce eye strain, and many locations add conveniences such as ice machines and self-service snacks. Location strategy is also key, with study rooms typically placed near residential complexes, universities, and commercial areas with access to transportation, convenience stores, and affordable dining.
Luo said startup costs typically range from 80,000 to 120,000 yuan ($11,000 to $16,500), with most locations breaking even within 18 to 24 months. The fastest-performing store recovered costs in eight months, he said.
Competition in the sector has intensified as expansion accelerates. While Wang Zhizhi has grown into a larger chain, most operators remain small businesses with fewer than five locations. To improve efficiency, the company developed a proprietary management system allowing a team of eight people to oversee nearly 100 study rooms. It is also expanding into surrounding districts such as Jiangjin and Yongchuan, with additional sites planned in Hechuan and Wanzhou.
Beyond business growth, analysts say shared study rooms reflect a broader shift in consumption among young Chinese — paying for environments that support concentration, discipline and emotional stability.
Qiu Si, director of Chongqing Mingliang Psychological Counseling Center, said such spaces can help reduce academic and career-related anxiety. “They offer low social pressure and high respect for personal space,” she said. “That combination improves both focus and emotional well-being.”
Inside the study room, silence continues late into the night. Strangers sit side by side, rarely speaking, yet sharing the same rhythm of effort. As Xiao Du left, he noticed a new note on the wish wall: “2026, we’ll make it.” He said he did not know who wrote it, but expected they would return the next day, like many others pursuing the same goal under the same steady light.