The nighttime economy, spanning the dining, tourism and leisure sectors, has emerged as a new driving force for economic growth nationwide. Regions are swiftly developing unique nighttime economic hubs tailored to various industries. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently announced the third batch of China’s National Night Culture and Tourism Consumption Agglomeration Zones. The list features 102 areas, including Longfu Temple Cultural Street in Beijing’s Dongcheng district, Tianjin’s aircraft carrier theme park, and Shenyang’s 1905 Cultural and Creative Park in Liaoning province. During a ceremony to launch the 2024 National Spring Festival Cultural and Tourism Consumption Month on January 25, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Industry Development Department awarded certificates to representatives from these hubs.
The 2023 China Nighttime Economy Development Report by the China Tourism Academy reveals that nighttime tourism raked in CNY1.57 trillion in revenue last year. With 95% of the surveyed people showing interest in nighttime excursions, it is clear that evening events are becoming more popular. An official from the Ministry’s Industry Development Department has stated that they will focus on strengthening policy support and refining assistance to illuminate China’s nighttime culture and tourism hubs. Song Yangyang, Vice President of the Institute of Creative Industry Technology at the Renmin University of China, believes that promoting nighttime culture and tourism through agglomeration zones or industrial hubs is crucial because they provide an array of cultural and tourism experiences, meeting people’s increasing desire for a better lifestyle. He sees nighttime culture and tourism as vital components of modern cities, extending cultural and tourism activities beyond traditional time and space boundaries. Song emphasized the importance of incorporating regional flavors into nighttime consumption. He recommends utilizing local cultural resources to develop products tailored to different seasons, audiences and cultural preferences.
A survey by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reveals that over 60% of consumer spending now happens during the night. Sales between 6 pm and 10 pm in major shopping centers make up more than half of daily sales, making nighttime the prime time for consumption. China’s nighttime economy has seen robust growth over the past two years, creating not only new consumer markets but also providing a broader platform for the cultural and creative industries. The year 2019 was dubbed the “Year of Nighttime Tourism” by the media. That year, the State Council released guidelines encouraging commercial districts and themed streets to feature culture, tourism and leisure activities. This included extending operating hours and establishing late-night zones, 24-hour convenience stores and unique dining areas. In July 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched the first phase of the National Night Culture and Tourism Consumption Agglomeration Zone project to boost nighttime cultural and tourism activities. Four months later, they revealed the first 120 areas, including famous spots like the Bund area in Shanghai and the Jianghan Road pedestrian street in Wuhan, Hubei province, the China Daily reports.
