Chongqing springs to life on summer nights

Chongqing, a mountainous metropolis in Southwest China known for its spicy food and hot weather, now has another box ticked－its sizzling nightlife.

When the sun sets, residents who hide away from the scorching heat of the day can finally breathe a sigh of relief outdoors, and there are abundant cultural and tourist activities going on in the city to entertain them.

A three-month-long nightlife festival was launched this summer, with over 200 events themed around music, art and beer.

Raffles City Chongqing, located at the intersection of two rivers on the Yuzhong Peninsula, has seen crowds of tourists attracted to its 45th-floor viewing deck. The "sky garden" combines indoor lighting and plants with an outdoor terrace featuring a panoramic view of the city.

"This place is full of magic! We enjoy the nighttime view along the transparent glass corridor. There is also an immersive Mars-themed exhibition, which is like a scene from a sci-fi movie. My children and I enjoy it very much," says a tourist, surnamed Lu, from South China's Guangdong province.

Raffles City says the volume of customers has recovered significantly since July, especially during evening hours. Guests to the "sky garden" have doubled from June, with an average daily reception of about 1,000 visitors. The restaurant and bar on the same floor are almost fully booked.

In addition to breathtaking night views from the skyscraper, residents can also attend concerts in the historical Shancheng Alley, where an abandoned hospital has been transformed into an outdoor theater, complete with lighting and sound equipment.

Shancheng Alley used to be a footpath for local residents. It retains many historical buildings dating back hundreds of years. Since 2018, the local government has been renovating the area while maintaining its historical and cultural characteristics.

Since late June, on weekends, various kinds of concerts and performances have been held there in the evenings, featuring electronic, folk and pop music, making it a hot spot among young people and music lovers.

According to a think tank report on China's night economy, Chongqing is among the top 10 cities in China in terms of influence and economic benefits. The report says the night economy has become a new pillar of growth in the city's development.