Students ditch libraries for fun, focus of theme parks

Off to work we go

Xu Han, a 28-year-old remote worker in Shanghai, has taken this idea even further — making Disneyland her weekly workspace.

With the freedom to choose where she works, Xu, an avid Disney fan, realized that the happiest place on earth could also be the most productive. Living just six metro stops away, she bought an annual pass and made Disneyland her No 1 work spot.

Xu's work day starts in the early afternoon. The vast green lawns of Disneyland, she says, are an ideal workspace — open, often sunlit, and filled with cheerful background music. She tackles her tasks with a sense of lightness that a conventional office could never provide. As evening approaches, she completes her work, rewards herself with a visit to her favorite attraction, and finally, a meal at Disneytown before heading home.

One might expect that working in a theme park would be full of distractions, but Xu sees it differently.

"Doing the hardest tasks in the 'happiest place' actually offsets some of the stress," she explains. The uplifting atmosphere, combined with Disneyland's energetic music, helps her stay motivated and focused.

Rather than feeling torn between work and play, she finds the contrast amusing and effective, and it transforms work from a burden into something enjoyable.

Occasionally, spontaneous performances by roaming musicians catch her attention. However, as these are not scheduled events — she allows herself a break to enjoy them before returning to work.

Xu said she has noticed others working or studying in the park, but hasn't interacted much with them. However, she believes the growing trend of studying or working in Disneyland reflects a deeper societal shift.

"Work and academic pressure have become overwhelming for many people. Having a space to unwind, even briefly, is essential," said Xu, who looks at it as a self-imposed method of motivation.

Xiao Ruan, a 25-year-old third-year architecture graduate student in Beijing, sees studying in a park not as a trend or a romantic notion, but simply as a practical choice.

"My dorm felt too cramped, and I didn't want to go to the library. Plus, I have a bit of a performer's personality — I focus better when there are people around," said Xiao.

She started going to parks when she began working on her thesis, drawn by the open spaces and, importantly, the sunlight. While some may picture her at well-known spots like Ditan Park or Shougang Park, she is just as likely to be found at a quiet green spot near her apartment. "I don't go often, only when the sun is out. I just like soaking up the warmth," she said.

Xiao's routine is simple: she finds a sunlit bench by a lake in a park, opens her laptop, and gets to work.

"Under the open sky, with a gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves around me, even the most daunting thesis work feels a little more manageable," said Xiao, who doesn't struggle with distractions. If she gets tired, she just takes a walk, enjoys the fresh air, and heads home, she said.

Beyond parks, she has tried other unconventional study spots, including high-speed trains, airports, and even airplanes, though parks always remain her top choice for studying.

"The time is shorter, and I don't always feel relaxed, but my efficiency is much higher. Still, when the sun is shining and the deadlines are looming, nothing quite compares to a quiet bench, a warm breeze, and a laptop under the open sky," said Xiao.