Daming, an ancient county in north China's Hebei Province, has witnessed a surge in tourist inflow so far in the week-long National Day holiday which started on October 1, fueled by a thriving night-time economy featuring a diverse range of attractions from dazzling light shows to bustling night markets.
As the night unfolded, the Daming Stone Carving Museum would be packed with visitors eager to see a spectacular light display. When the clock strikes seven, buildings inside the complex would be illuminated with stunning light beams, eliciting cheers from the delighted crowds.
Outside the museum, the cultural district would be buzzing with visitors strolling beneath glowing red lanterns. Nearby, the night market captivates tourists with stalls offering unique local delicacies and traditional crafts as well as interactive games and live performances.
"We just watched an immersive cultural performance, and it was fantastic. We learned about history while enjoying the beautiful scenery, and the lighting here is truly gorgeous," said He Yudi, a tourist.
Daming and local characters hold a prominent place in classic Chinese novel series "Outlaws of the Marsh," inspiring the tourism department to develop cultural projects rooted in this renowned literary work which tells the story of 108 outlaws who band together in the Liangshan Marsh to fight against corruption and injustice in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
"We have taken various measures to attract more tourists, such as issuing consumption coupons and organizing cultural activities that integrate the 'Outlaws of the Marsh' elements and immersive experiences," said Ma Rui, the night market operation manager.
Official data showed that Daming County received a daily average of more than 300,000 tourist visits during the first three days of the National Day holiday.
Vibrant night economy sparks tourism boom in Chinese county during National Day holiday
The Zambian government has declared the current fuel supply situation an emergency amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
On March 31, Zambian Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa said in a statement that the cabinet had approved zero-rating of value-added tax and the suspension of excise duty on petrol and diesel imports for a period of three months.
Mweetwa, also the government spokesperson, noted that the government is concerned about the continued conflict in the Middle East, which have disrupted global oil supply chains, resulting in rising international fuel prices and upward pressure on domestic pump prices.
Also on March 31, Zambia's energy regulator announced an upward adjustment in fuel pump prices. Under the new pricing structure, petrol has increased by 2.03 percent, while diesel has risen by 28.09 percent.
Zambian residents have already been feeling the impact. Their ability to travel is curtailed and they are forced to wait in long lines for refueling.
"You have to spend some time on looking for fuel. The war should come to an end, and then fuel supply will flow," said Fredrick Nabuzoka, a local resident.
"My business is down. I cannot move regularly like I used to because of the fuel problem," said Fridah Mbiza, another resident.
Analysts warned that the fuel shortage extends beyond the country, which raises fear and worsens an already precarious energy insecurity.
"The energy insecurity is huge. It's not just for Zambia, it's about 75 percent of other African countries. And for Zambia, the price definitely is also going to swing up, just like other countries. And also, there is another fear, apart from just the price going up. The other fear is the availability factor," said Johnstone Chikwanda, a Zambian energy expert.
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region have triggered a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas globally because of the reduction of sea traffic through the key oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the sea route has sent global oil prices soaring.
Zambia declares fuel supply emergency amid Middle East tensions
