Flourishing night-time economy in China vitalizes cities

By Gui Conglu

As night falls, night-time economy flourishes across China, with diversified regional characteristics.

A museum in Suzhou in east China’s Jiangsu Province comes to life when people line up to wait for the opening of an evening exhibition; Shanghai’s most famous classical garden Yuyuan Garden draws numerous visitors as a night fair kicks off; Shahe in north China’s Hebei Province turns into a wonderland as a captivating light festival begins.

China's night-time economy has evolved from night markets to consumption on food, sightseeing, shopping, sports, exhibitions and performances, providing more possibilities for people to enjoy their nighttime.

           

For some time, the night-time economy has become a hot topic and a crucial indicator of urban vitality. Chinese cities have introduced policies and measures to encourage and support the development of the night-time economy, which stimulates relevant sectors to continuously innovate business forms and models.

The prosperity of the night-time economy expands service types, satisfying consumers' demand for high-quality and diversified products and services. In traditional farming society, people worked from sunrise to sunset. Nowadays, they live a modern life when every minute counts and nighttime has been extended and more colorful.

Therefore, it is common now that 24-hour convenience stores open at almost every corner of the city, becoming power stations for people who stay up late, running hours of public transportation is extended so that people needn’t worry about returning home late, ball games and running activities are held at night so that people who are busy during the day find time for physical exercise as well.

The consumption pattern and lifestyle shaped by the night economy are becoming a vivid display of the efforts made to meet people's needs for a better life.

Night-time economy is known as the source of new vitality of China's economy. According to data, night-time economy, which mainly focuses on service consumption, accounts for a rapidly increasing proportion of urban GDP.

Night consumption in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou accounts for about half of its daily consumption and is gradually rising.

From the perspective of improving the level of urban development, the beautiful scenery created by the night-time economy not only becomes a brand new name card for the city, but also creates jobs and bring industrial development opportunities. From the perspective of stimulating domestic demand and promoting consumption, the night economy is not only a potential market for urban consumption, but also a new driving force for economic development.

To build a better life is the eternal theme of urban development. While keeping on lighting up the night-time economy across China, cities also need to take every efforts in the management of the night-time economy, so that the majority of residents can enjoy higher quality, healthier and safer products and services. Only when it combines vitality and order, can the night-time economy keep shining and promise a better city life.