Pokhara, 20 July – In a remarkable blend of ancient tradition and modern vibrancy, night markets across China, exemplified by the Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market in Hebei province, are experiencing a powerful renaissance. These bustling hubs of commerce, cuisine, and culture, rooted in over a thousand years of history, are not only drawing millions of visitors but also generating substantial economic benefits and fostering a unique sense of local pride.
The Zhengding Small Commodities Night Market, occupying 10,000 square meters and featuring over 600 stalls, is a testament to this revival. It transforms daily from a vast parking lot into a symphony of “yanhuoqi” (smoke, fire, and steam), drawing between 10,000 to 30,000 visitors nightly. Last year alone, the market generated an estimated 400 million yuan ($55.8 million) in annual revenue and created 2,500 jobs, particularly for individuals without higher education. This impressive growth stems from an initiative launched in 2012 by Li Zhangchao, one of the market’s founders, who saw an opportunity to bring life back to Zhengding’s evenings. Its strategic location at the urban-rural fringe, attracting dense pedestrian flows, proved crucial to its success.
Zhengding’s connection to a vibrant night economy dates back over 10 centuries. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as curfews were gradually abolished, Zhengding emerged as a pioneer of nighttime commerce. Its strategic importance and strong commercial base fostered early forms of night markets. Later, during the Mongol Empire and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it became the birthplace of zaju, Chinese variety dramas, further boosting nocturnal gatherings. Historical accounts, such as those by the 14th-century scholar Naxin, vividly depict lantern-lit crowds and bustling theaters, illustrating the enduring nocturnal energy of the county.
The success of individual vendors like 39-year-old Lu Yang, who built a thriving business selling “reganmian” (hot dry noodles) after his parents’ venture failed, highlights the market’s transformative power. Lu’s innovative use of social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu propelled his stall to local “must-eat” lists, with sales soaring to 700-800 bowls midweek and over 1,000 on weekends. This viral success, which saw the market attract over 100,000 daily visitors at one point in April 2024 and a total of 3 million visitors last year, also brought challenges. Issues such as traffic gridlock, excess garbage, and spotty mobile signals were promptly addressed through local government support, including upgraded network infrastructure, additional cleaners, and portable toilets, ensuring a positive visitor experience.
The night market’s popularity has significantly boosted Zhengding’s overall tourism, which now includes night tours of ancient city walls and light shows near temples. Hotels near the market have reported 40 percent occupancy spikes, and taxi drivers’ nightly earnings have doubled. Zhang Xiaofang, deputy director of Zhengding’s culture and tourism bureau, notes that the market and cultural tourism mutually fuel each other, leveraging the county’s rich heritage.
Similarly, in Kaifeng, Henan province, the 1,000-year-old legacy of night markets is being sustained through an emphasis on immersive cultural heritage. Known as Dongjing during the Northern Song period, Kaifeng was famed for its bustling night markets that often lasted until midnight and reopened at 3 am. Today, this heritage has been transformed into “Dasongbuyecheng,” or the Great Song Dynasty Sleepless City, offering a rich tapestry of history, culture, and modern vitality after dark. Kaifeng now boasts two national-level and eight provincial-level nighttime cultural tourism consumption clusters, along with 12 scenic spots offering night tours.
Experts like Hui Dong, an associate professor at Henan University, emphasize that Kaifeng’s advantage lies in its deep-rooted night market tradition, which has “transcended the realm of pure dining, forming a multidimensional night economy ecosystem.” Bai Jianchao, a fourth-generation inheritor of the Bainian Baiji peanut cake craft, views this revival as a “cultural resurgence,” with young people embracing traditional attire (hanfu) at night markets. He believes that the success of Zhengding, Kaifeng, and even Zibo in Shandong province (known for its barbecue craze) are linked by a common cultural thread: fulfilling the “basic need for yanhuoqi” for ordinary people, a more attractive proposition than high-end consumption for most. The ancient tradition of night markets, he concludes, is indeed experiencing a vibrant renaissance, providing livelihoods, affordable enjoyment, and strong symbols of local identity and cultural confidence.
