(CFP Photo)
Cities in Jiangsu Province have taken active measures to support the development of night economy, which itself is a dynamic driver to local economic growth.
Qinhuai River, the mother river of Nanjing and one of China's most famous historical and cultural waterways, is a popular nightlife destination. Tian Shupeng, head of operations at Nanjing Confucius Temple Culture and Tourism Group, said the sightseeing boats often become crowded after 6 p.m. during the school summer holidays, and the last boat usually can only return to the pier after 11 p.m. Tourists can also enjoy the enhanced experiences of the river's cultural legacy thanks to immersive performances, digital representation of intangible cultural heritage items, and other innovative approaches.
At night, the historical and cultural block of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou City is a great destination to explore Pingtan, a combination of storytelling and ballad singing in the soft and sweet Suzhou dialect. Pingjiang Road is now a vibrant hub of stores for cultural creations, food and beverages, attracting tourists with its relaxing and warm atmosphere.
In Kunshan, a county-level city administered by Suzhou, 2023 Music and Beer Festival opened at the local sports center on the evening of August 10. The festival included performances, a wide variety of specialty food, and metaverse-themed interactions, bringing multisensory experiences to visitors.
According to a survey on urban residents' consumption habits conducted by the Ministry of Commerce, 60% of consumption takes place during nighttime hours, reflecting the surging popularity of night economy. Studies have also showed that tourists who stay overnight spend nearly three times more on average than those who take just a day trip.
Against this background, experts have provided their suggestions to stimulate nightlight spending.
Huang Tai, director of the Institute of Culture and Tourism Development at Soochow University, stated that the development of night economy should consider local realities and foster unique programs to enhance appeal.
Lyu Yonggang, deputy director of the Institute of Economic Research of the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, believes it is necessary to constantly improve urban governance capacity and service levels, making safety, order and neatness the core components of night economy.
Du Yuwei, deputy director of the Institute of Social Policy of the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, suggested introducing and improving the development planning of night economy. Du called for a closer connection between city's cultural zones and nightlife destinations and stressed the importance of regional characteristics in branding.
