Chinese Man Camps Underneath Mall Staircase For 6 Months, Sets Up Tent And Computer

In an unusual story of urban living, a man in Shanghai managed to turn a mall into his secret home, evading security for a remarkable six months. The identity of the squatter is unknown, but a video circulating on Twitter exposes his clever setup: a tent, table, computer, and chair neatly arranged under a staircase.

What did the person do?

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The video shows the mysterious person coming out of his hidden living space now and then to charge electronic devices using the mall's outlets. This scenario compares to actor Tom Hanks' character in "The Terminal," who had an extended stay at the airport.

How did he get caught?

According to reports, a security guard discovered the unauthorized resident several months ago but allowed him to stay because he believed his claim that he required a quiet "place to study," as stated in Metro.

However, on October 30, the squatter's extended stay was abruptly halted when another security guard, less sympathetic to the situation, discovered and promptly arrested him. The reasons behind this peculiar choice of residence remain unclear.

Did similar instances happen before?

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In 2016, Ikea China customers became infamous for taking naps on the display beds, leading Beijing branches to enforce a ban. Despite the prohibition, some shoppers treated showrooms as personal sleeping quarters.

Similar incidents have occurred in the US. In 2007, artist Michael Townsend made headlines when he squatted inside a Rhode Island shopping mall for an impressive four years.

Townsend, conducting an art project on mall life, outsmarted security by building an underground bunker in the center's parking garage. The bunker included Chinese dishware and a Playstation 2.

His inspiration came from a holiday ad for the mall that whimsically pondered "how great it would be if you (we) could live at the mall."

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