If there’s nowhere else to sleep, 24‑hour venues can only serve as a temporary overnight stop; shelters should be the first choice

Waiting areas at airports and train stations are usually free. Fast‑food restaurants and internet cafés require some spending. Sleep is often restless, and there’s a risk of theft. The real challenge is staying awake all night.

A venue open 24 hours can get you through a night, with toilets and phone charging. There are no official figures on how safe it is. China's Ministry of Civil Affairs requires shelter helplines to remain available around the clock and shelters to operate a 24-hour duty system. People who arrive seeking help should receive assistance first in accordance with policy. Those stranded while looking for work, robbed or suddenly without a livelihood can receive emergency transitional support for basic needs. Where conditions permit, community service centers and similar premises may become temporary shelters. In winter, people in difficulty are directed to relief shelters or temporary cold-weather shelters. For those unwilling to enter, patrol staff provide food, clothes and warming supplies and leave contact details for help. Patrols increase at night, during temperature drops, and in rain, snow or freezing conditions. Stations, docks, underpasses, bridge culverts and construction sites are priority areas (nationwide in China; civil affairs departments have run annual special winter assistance campaigns since 2013).

作者经验（24 小时营业场所部分）；民政部办公厅 (2022). 关于扎实做好「寒冬送温暖」专项救助行动的通知（第二、三、四、五部分；第三部分：「保证救助热线全天畅通，及时响应求助线索，对前来求助的遇困人员按政策规定先行实施救助」）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-12/11/content_5731351.htm；民政部、中央政法委、公安部等 11 部门 (2020). 关于开展生活无着的流浪乞讨人员救助管理服务质量大提升专项行动的通知（民发〔2020〕14 号，第二部分第三项：「要持续做好极端天气下『寒冬送温暖』、『夏季送清凉』等专项救助工作」）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-03/24/content_5494916.htm；民政部 (2003). 城市生活无着的流浪乞讨人员救助管理办法实施细则（民政部令第 24 号，第二、三、五条）. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2003/content_62510.htm

Safety risks are real. Keep valuables close, do not accept drinks or food from strangers, and avoid isolated corners. Do not sleep under bridges, beside rivers or at construction sites at night. Sleeping outdoors in extreme weather can be fatal. For meals, lodging and travel tickets provided by shelters, see item 4 (go to a relief shelter when you have nowhere to turn). Shelters accept people unable to meet their own food and lodging needs who have no relatives or friends to turn to. Describe your circumstances honestly on arrival; those who refuse to do so are not assisted. The ministry's requirements above come from its winter 2022 notice; localities issue their own arrangements each year, so check local provisions. Some venues clear people out at midnight; avoid confrontation with security staff.