Nighttime activities in China are fueling consumption during the five-day May Day holiday starting on Wednesday.
To further enhance the vitality and attraction of nighttime consumption, many Chinese cities have endeavored to combine business with culture and tourism in innovative ways.
In Beijing, the cityscape of major business districts, parks, and streets in the central urban area comes alive as they are simultaneously adorned with captivating illuminations, each showcasing its unique characteristics.
"The bridge in the Liangma River Park is now lit up and looks exceptionally beautiful. There are also a large number of tourists coming to take photos," said Qin Xuan, a tourist.
From April 30 to May 5, nearly 3,000 landscape lighting facilities in the city have been fully illuminated, operating until midnight.
In Fuzhou City of east China's Fujian Province, various immersive and interactive activities such as nighttime art exhibitions and intangible cultural heritage flash mobs have been launched, enabling tourists to experience cultural charms and bustling nightlife.
The local efforts highlight China-Chic elements of intangible cultural heritage, offering activities such as artistic performances and cultural exhibitions.
"[This place] exudes a cultural atmosphere and carries a strong sense of artistry. It is filled with elements of cultural creativity, creating an immersive [cultural] atmosphere," said a tourist surnamed Fang.
Meanwhile, in Lianyungang City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various cultural performances provide visitors to its Haizhou district with an immersive experience. The commercial street there has received a large number of tourists who indulged in delicious food and cultural performances to enjoy their leisure holidays.
"The seafood here is particularly rich in variety and fresh. Our family came here to celebrate the May Day holiday, and it is truly fantastic," said Zhu Laige, a tourist.
China's nighttime economy fuels consumption during May Day holiday
China’s transport authorities mobilized rail, road, air and waterway resources on Tuesday, the final day of the five‑day May Day holiday, to manage the peak return flow as passenger volumes surged nationwide.
The national railway system expects 23 million passenger trips on the day, with operators adding 2,225 extra trains and deploying capacity on popular routes and peak hours to handle the return flow from smaller cities to major hubs.
In Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, 134 trains have been temporarily added for high-demand directions including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
"Railway return travel peaks today. In light of short stops and high passenger volumes, we have strengthened coordination with intermediate stations and offered guidance to passengers for smooth boarding and alighting to prevent crowding and stampedes," said Ji Yudi, a conductor of China Railway Zhengzhou Group.
Regional operators in Beijing, Chengdu and other cities have also proactively coordinated with local transit authorities to extend bus and subway operating hours, increase nighttime service frequency, and boost taxi and ride-hailing availability to ensure seamless transfers for late-arriving passengers.
With respect to highways, the national highway network is projected to record approximately 61 million vehicle trips on Tuesday. The peak traffic window is between 16:00 and 18:00, with congestion and slow-moving traffic likely around major city entry and exit points, as well as airport expressways in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
To ease holiday congestion, traffic police in south China's Guangdong Province have rolled out tidal lanes and flow control measures at 24 key highway sections in nine cities.
"Using a highway interconnect system, we have conducted remote flow diversion. During this morning's peak return period, traffic efficiency on the Erenhot-Guangzhou Expressway improved significantly, showing no sign of congestion," said Dai Zhouwu, a local traffic police officer.
By water, an estimated 1.035 million passenger trips are expected to be made across the country on Tuesday, marking a 1.4-percent increase year on year.
To ensure smooth strait crossing from south China's Hainan Province, the maritime authorities in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province have urged operators to supplement fixed sailings with extra voyages and optimized crew rotations to meet surging vessel demand.
Meanwhile, China's civil aviation sector is projected to carry 2.3 million passengers on Tuesday.
The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, one of the country's busiest airports in southwest China's Sichuan Province, are offering free luggage pick-up and delivering services to passengers arriving from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
China’s transport network braces for record May Day return traffic
