Chongming Island, on the outskirts of Shanghai, hosted the grand final of the peculiar “Sleep-in-Forest 2026” championship, a nap competition that brought together participants from all over China in the heart of nature.
Read more The old Werther
The event, held on May 3, turned a forest on the island into an improvised resting area where contestants tried to fall asleep while the breeze rustled through the trees. The competition aims to promote relaxation and disconnect from the fast pace of urban life.
Participants came from different parts of the country to compete in this unique contest, where the goal was not to run or endure, but to achieve the perfect rest in a natural environment.
Read more The EU bans AI systems that create sexual ‘deepfakes’
The competition has attracted attention for its unusual format and for reflecting a growing trend in China: the search for activities related to well-being, mental health, and contact with nature.
Among trees, blankets, and silence, the championship ended by crowning a new “king of sleep,” putting the finishing touch on one of the most unusual competitions of the year.
Read more Vallecas is going to Leipzig to play its first final in style
