Nighttime economy thrives in summer across China

中国夏季夜间经济蓬勃发展

A drone photo shows people visiting Yaobu ancient town in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

无人机照片显示人们参观中国南部广西壮族自治区柳州市的窑埠古镇。2025年5月3日（新华社/黄小邦）

In summer, the consumption market is thriving across various places as new consumption scenarios are created, different business forms are integrated, and consumption potential is continuously unleashed.

夏季，各地消费市场活力迸发，多元业态交织共融，全新消费场景持续涌现，消费潜力不断发展。

At a sports center in Huangshi city, central China's Hubei Province, local resident Ma Liping said his team has booked a court in advance, as enthusiasm for sports runs high in summer.

在中国中部湖北省黄石市的一家体育中心，当地居民马丽平表示，他的团队已提前预订了场地，因为人们夏季运动热情高涨。

According to Huang Zhiqiang, head of the sports center, since July, the facility has welcomed over 300 people a day—twice as many as just a few months ago. He attributed the surge in enthusiasm to a series of nighttime sports activities launched by Hubei Province.

据体育中心负责人黄志强介绍，自7月以来，该设施每天接待了300多人，是几个月前的两倍。他将热情的高涨归功于湖北省推出的一系列夜间体育活动。

To boost nighttime sports consumption, the sports center has added more classes between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Huang said the facility is now operating at full capacity at night.

为了促进夜间体育消费，体育中心在每天晚上 7 点至 10 点之间增加了更多课程。黄说，该设施现在在夜间满负荷运转。

According to Hu Caisheng, deputy director of the sports development center in Huangshi, the city has organized 24 sports events at various levels since May, attracting 118,400 local citizens and 28,300 tourists to participate. It has also indirectly boosted related spending on dining, accommodation, and transportation by more than 25 million yuan (about $3.48 million).

据黄石市体育发展中心副主任胡彩生介绍，自5月以来，该市共组织各级体育赛事24场，吸引了当地市民11.84万人次、游客2.83万人次参加。还间接增加了餐饮、住宿、交通等相关支出超过2500万元人民币（约合348万美元）。

As night falls on Taiping old street in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, crowds gather to soak in the city's evening charm. Both sides of the street are lined with shops such as tea shops and snack stalls, creating a lively nighttime scene.

夜幕降临，长沙市太平老街上，人群聚集在一起，沉浸在这座城市的夜晚魅力中。街道两旁排列着茶店、小吃摊等商店，营造出热闹的夜景。

The Dim Sum Bureau of Momo, a bakery chain in Changsha, offers a space covering around 300 square meters that sells baked goods and showcases intangible cultural heritage. Since opening in August 2024, the store has received over 541,000 visits. Data shows that nighttime spending makes up 60 percent of Changsha's total daily consumption, with over 1 million people employed in related industries.

长沙面包连锁店陌陌点心局拥有约300平方米的空间，出售烘焙食品并展示非物质文化遗产。自 2024 年 8 月开业以来，该店已接待超过 541,000 人次访问。数据显示，夜间消费占长沙市日常消费总量的60%，相关行业就业人数超过100万人。

At a night market in Mangshi city, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a variety of street food stalls create a vibrant atmosphere, drawing both locals and tourists.

在中国西南部云南省德宏傣族和景颇族自治州芒市的一个夜市上，各种街头小吃摊营造出充满活力的氛围，吸引了当地人和游客。

Wei Zenghui, a stall owner selling local specialties like lemongrass roast chicken, roast fish, and roast spare ribs, said his tables have been nearly full at night lately, thanks to the growing number of tourists visiting the market. Yang Qiansheng, who runs a stall selling local specialty drinks, has had a similar experience.

韦增辉是一位卖香茅烧鸡、烤鱼、烤排骨等当地特产的摊主，他说，由于游客越来越多，他最近晚上的桌子几乎坐满了。经营一家卖当地特色饮品的摊位的杨千胜也有过类似的经历。

"Our drinks are a hit with both locals and tourists," Yang said. The night market also offers landscapes with local characteristics, becoming a popular photo spot for tourists.

“我们的饮料深受当地人和游客的欢迎，“杨千胜说。夜市还提供具有当地特色的景观，成为游客的热门打卡地点。

In 2023, the night market was designated a provincial-level nighttime cultural and tourism hotspot in Yunnan.

2023年，夜市被定为云南省级夜间文旅热点。