Night markets brighten up southern Xinjiang

Set up in 2018 and put into use last year, 42 food stalls and 42 dining tables line the night market, in the township of Langgar, Yutian county, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The stalls sell eggplant noodles, grilled meat on skewers, roasted pumpkins and other homemade local specialties.

The night market was built with assistance from North China's Tianjin municipality, which is partnered with Langgar under a pairing assistance program to support Langgar's development, according to Cui Yanwu, a township official.

China has been implementing a pairing assistance program for Xinjiang's development since 1997, channeling financial and personnel support to Xinjiang from other regions of the country.

The government provides stalls, tables and chairs for the businesses of the vendors. The night market has so far attracted more than 40 registered impoverished residents.