Night events boost economy of Dong'e county

The Dong'e Summer Cultural and Art Festival in Dong'e county, East China's Shandong province will present nine large-scale cultural activities over the next three months, including cultural and tourism consumption events, art exhibitions, singing contests, dance competitions and more.

A view of the opening ceremony of the Dong'e Summer Cultural and Art Festival. [Photo by Li Aiming for chinadaily.com.cn]

Besides adding more color to the lives of the locals, the event is also expected to stimulate consumption and invigorate the local economy. The recently opened Zijin City Food Street Night Market, for example, has already attracted numerous visitors seeking delicious snacks.

"There is a wide variety of food and amusement facilities here. We often bring our children to play here. It's wonderful," said Zhang Wenwen, a local resident.

Since its opening on June 8, the night market, which features 19 food trucks, has generated 418,000 yuan ($58,226) in revenue.

The county's bureau of commerce and investment promotion has also put together a plan to create a vibrant nightlife scene that will help drive consumption levels up.

"We see the night economy as an industry to foster, as well as a means to shape the county's brand and image. By creating high-quality night consumption hubs and distinctive streets, we aim to unleash the potential of nighttime consumption and enhance the charm of Dong'e," said Tian Xuechao, the county governor. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)