Hangzhou - A public bathroom in Hangzhou city has been rented out by the local urban management bureau and used as a place to play games.

The two-story building in Xiacheng district has two bathrooms on the first floor. A red sign on the wall says "go upstairs to chess and card rooms."

A public bathroom in Hangzhou city has been rented out by the local urban management bureau and used as a place to play games. [Photo/ECNS]

Reporters found four rooms upstairs, where several people were playing mahjong.

Bao, who runs the game rooms, said he has signed a lease which will expire in a year.

Wang Ning, head of the operational office of the bureau, told reporters that the four rooms on the second floor were rented out through open bidding, with a three-year lease.

Wang said the revenue is used to cover bureau expenses, as it partially depends on government funds.

The rooms upstairs don't influence people's use of the toilets, he said, adding that the rooms will not be rented out after the current lease expires.