By Li Qian
Jing'an is turning up the heat on its nighttime economy with themed pop-ups, rooftop dining, riverside light shows and trendy IP events, bringing new energy to the city after dark.
Across the district's major commercial hubs, businesses are extending opening hours and rolling out new experiences designed to encourage residents and visitors to stay out later and spend more.
Zhangyuan Garden has partnered with the Shanghai Book Fair for the first time to celebrate books and local culture in its century-old shikumen complex.
This month, Maoming Road N. becomes a book-themed pedestrian street with evening events and limited-edition drinks on weekends. Nearby Fengshengli, with its restaurants and bars, is another popular evening spot.
Late-night socializing dominates Yongyuan Road. Innovative brands like PANE and SMFK attract international shoppers. A new lifestyle hub, the B1 sunken plaza, allows visitors to sit, drink and spend the evening underground.
At Crystal Plus near Jing'an Temple, a mix of pop-up markets, new launches, nighttime campaigns and extended business hours is helping boost summer spending.
Its ice-cream festival, from July 30 to August 2, drew 276,000 visits in three days, up 162 percent year on year, while retail sales rose by 141.8 percent.
Along Suzhou Creek, the summer night scene is taking a more visual turn.
Since July 31, the "Art Ripples" light show has illuminated the waterfront every Friday and Saturday at 7pm. The riverfront glows in midsummer with colorful patterns and playful illustrations, drawing residents and visitors for evening strolls and photos.
Shanghai Suhewan MixC World next door hosts pop-culture pop-ups and beer festivals.
Jing'an Joy City, a popular anime and pop-culture destination in Shanghai, is hosting "Joy Universe" through August 30. Over 30 themed pop-ups are making their national debut, and there are more than 50 popular IPs, including "Harry Potter" and "Sanrio." The rooftop Ferris wheel glows at night, and restaurants below host evening gatherings.
In the Daning area, art is taking center stage.
Shanghai Jiuguang Center has partnered with the Shanghai Jiushi Art Museum to offer Platinum and Black Gold members free access to "GLASSTRESS," a parallel exhibition of the Venice Biennale. It has also teamed up with Danish rock band Michael Learns to Rock to give away signed posters, bringing art and music together online and offline.
At Daning Music Plaza, craft beer tasting and a popular food market were drawing evening crowds, while fountain shows combining water and fire at 6:30pm and 7:30pm have become a popular backdrop for photos and social posts.
The Lotus Festival at Daning Park is extending flower viewing late into the evening, with water-screen projections and traditional iron-flower performances adding to the summer spectacle.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
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