As the sweltering summer heat grips many parts of China, people are turning to a new and vibrant trend: night travel. Instead of flocking to tourist attractions under the scorching sun, millions are choosing to explore cities, historical sites and scenic spots after dusk.
This dramatic shift not only brings a more pleasant experience to tourists but is also creating a strong momentum, contributing significantly to promoting economic growth and enriching socio-cultural life.
As extreme heat covers many provinces and cities, Chinese people flock to go sightseeing after sunset to avoid the heat.
The intense heat is often a major obstacle to traditional daytime tourism. Recently, 28 regions in Henan and Shandong provinces issued red alerts, the most serious level, due to extreme heat. Temperatures in parts of Qingdao reached 40.5 degrees Celsius, just 0.5 degrees Celsius lower than the record high set there in 1961, according to Qingdao Daily. The prolonged heatwave has also put a strain on the national power grid as demand for air conditioning skyrocketed, with nationwide electricity consumption hitting a record 1.47 billion kilowatts on July 25, according to CCTV.
However, instead of giving up their passion for exploration, Chinese people have quickly adapted and created a new form of tourism. At Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie (Hunan Province), one of the famous destinations, the 999-step path leading up to Tianmen Cave is brightly lit, turning the entire mountain into a magical shimmering light, creating a spectacular scene at night. Tourist Mauricio Olvera from Mexico told Xinhua: "I came here in the afternoon to avoid the sun, but I didn't expect the night view to be so wonderful."
Night tourism booms, contributing to economic growth
Ding Yunjuan, a park employee, said that most visitors arrive in the late afternoon, with many staying until 9 p.m. before descending the mountain under the moonlight. To meet this growing demand, “the park organizes evening light shows to highlight the beauty of the landscape,” Ding said. Since the start of the summer holidays, the park has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors a day, with night tours becoming a particular attraction.
The boom in night tourism is giving a significant boost to the Chinese economy. As early as January, the State Council issued a document calling for the expansion of nighttime cultural and tourism activities, demonstrating the government's strategic vision. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, 60% of consumer spending takes place at night, while the average spending on night tourism is more than three times higher than during the day. By the end of 2024, the China Tourism Academy estimates that total domestic night tourism spending will reach 1.91 trillion yuan (US$267 billion), confirming the huge economic potential of this trend.
This trend brings cities and attractions to life after dusk.
In China's "hotbeds" like Hunan province, night markets, light shows and art performances have turned cities into vibrant summer destinations. At a theme park recreating Tang Dynasty culture, near the ruins of the 1,200-year-old Tongguan porcelain kiln, fireworks, street food and live music attract crowds after dark. The park stays open until midnight, allowing visitors to enjoy spicy lobster, take part in beer drinking competitions and learn about unique intangible cultural heritage. Zhang Ning, deputy general manager of the park, said the number of nighttime visitors has increased by nearly 20% since the beginning of July, an impressive figure.
Places like Tianmen Mountain and cultural parks have invested in lighting and organizing night events, affirming that night tourism is a new growth driver, helping China adapt and develop in changing climate conditions.
Night tourism is not just a temporary solution to "avoid" the heat but has become a sustainable trend, reflecting the dynamism and adaptability of the Chinese tourism industry. This development promises to continue to be an important driving force, contributing to diversifying tourism products and promoting the country's economy to develop more strongly in the future.
