Sparking Consumption

Nighttime economy across China adds vitality to urban life

- Li Kaizhi

With the roasted beef sizzling and guests sipping cold beer, business is again booming at a barbecue restaurant in Sanhe City, north China’s Hebei Province. The 32-year-old owner, Du Chunyu, opened the restaurant at the end of 2019. But unfortunately, they ran out of business soon after, as the COVID-19 epidemic hit the pause button for the catering industry across the country early this year.

“After more than 70 days of suspension, my wait for customers was finally over,” Du told his followers on Kuaishou, a Chinese live-streaming platform. We open at 4 p.m. every day, and you are welcome to visit and enjoy the delicious barbecue, Du added.

With the gradual easing of the epidemic prevention across the country, the business of catering, shopping malls, tourism and other industries is slowly recovering in China. Thanks to the measures to promote nighttime economy in various places, many people like Du have set their sights on the night time.

A driving force

Fragrant flowers, fine wine, delicious food ... Stalls lined up along the street welcome pedestrians and tourists during a special event in the Anyi Road Night Market, a 264meter lane located just a block away from the bustling West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, which reopened on May 30.

Huang Ning, Deputy Manager of the Jing’an Kerry Center, the organizer of the event, said the night market was widely recognized and praised after it was launched last year, driving double-digit sales growth of the surrounding shops.