This photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows a scene of "Impression Liu Sanjie," an open-air themed performance staged in Yangshuo County of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- As night falls, the Shuiyang market along the north bank of the Yongjiang River in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, comes alive with dozens of vibrant stalls illuminated under the night sky, drawing bustling crowds. Nearby, cruise ships glide along the river from the Minsheng tourism pier, offering passengers views of dazzling light shows highlighting landmarks like the Changyou pavilion, Dongyong pavilion, ancient city walls, and illuminated embankments.
From 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., an eight-hour "golden consumption window" is reshaping urban economic dynamics. Nighttime activities—ranging from river tours and performances to entertainment—are evolving beyond traditional street markets focused on dining and shopping into a powerful engine driving consumption upgrades.
-- Upgrading with more consumption scenarios
At 9 p.m., as the heat subsides, Mr. Wang, a business traveler from Shanghai, visits Langxi night market to sample local delicacies. "The night market offers authentic rolls, pickled fruits, and desserts. My friends and I even tried Luosifen (river snail rice noodles)," he said.
Nanning thrives after dark, with food stalls serving rice noodles, skewers, and oysters paired with herbal sugarcane juice, filling the city with lively energy. Across Guangxi, 14 cities are cultivating diverse nighttime hubs, offering experiences such as the radiant "Xiangzhou fantasy night" in Laibin, and Baise's traditional handicrafts like Zhuang brocade and knives.
A consumption habits survey of urban residents by China's Ministry of Commerce reveals that approximately 60 percent of domestic consumption occurs at night. According to the China Tourism Academy, nighttime tourism spending is estimated at 1.91 trillion yuan in 2024 driven by growing demand.
Beyond Guangxi, regions nationwide are expanding nighttime formats by upgrading commercial districts, extending opening hours for popular attractions and museums, and tailoring policies. East China's Jiangsu Province has piloted nighttime consumption vouchers, Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province continues to develop the immersive themed block named after the popular TV series "The Longest Day in Chang'an", and Guizhou continues developing its "colorful night of Guizhou" initiative.
"Nighttime economies are transitioning from food and shopping to integrated ecosystems encompassing dining, tourism, retail, entertainment, sports, exhibitions, and performances—ushering in 'Nighttime Economy 2.0,'" said Sun Xiaodong, a professor at East China Normal University's School of Economics and Management.
"The shift from night markets to specialized consumption zones and cultural-tourism clusters reflects public aspirations for richer, more convenient, and higher-quality lifestyles," Sun added.
-- Innovation through culture and technology
An aerial drone photo shows tourists visiting the Grand Tang Mall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
"The popularity of projects like 'Grand Tang Mall,' a Tang Dynasty-themed pedestrian area, reflects that consumers now prioritize cultural immersion over passive spectating," Sun noted.
Nighttime economies must leverage local heritage to create distinctive, interactive experiences, Sun emphasized.
Beyond culture, technologies like lighting systems, low-altitude economy applications, and smart management tools are emerging as new growth drivers.
Experts recommend enhancing nighttime infrastructure, such as signage and leisure facilities, while adopting big data and cloud computing for efficient operations.
Guangxi's digital guide "vibrant night in Guangxi", for instance, offers integrated services from ticket purchases to activity recommendations.
Yao Hua, director of the Institute of Sociology with Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, stressed multi-stakeholder collaboration. "Governments should coordinate planning to integrate culture, commerce, and tourism, while businesses focus on elevating consumer experiences," he said. (Edited by Niu Huizhe with Xinhua Silk Road, niuhuizhe@xinhua.org)
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