Young visitors embrace vibrant nightlife culture in Shanghai

Shanghai, one of the world's most dazzling mega-cities, is increasingly becoming a hub of vibrant nightlife with musicals, talk shows and monodramas among the most popular choices for young people to unwind after a busy day.

As evening falls, entertainment venues such as the Asia Mansion come alive with activities, attracting young visitors eager to get immersive cultural experiences.

"It's been trending in Shanghai to relax by visiting live shows. Friends of my age said people born in the 1990s and 2000s around them prefer to relax in this way," said Jiang Xiaoying, an audience member of the musical Mist Makers.

Supporting this trend, Shanghai authorities have actively promoted famous landmarks and top nightlife destinations to attract crowds. A series of supportive policies, such as extended operating hours and curated nightlife festivals, are also playing a key role in fueling this nighttime surge.

Creators of theatrical productions are also leveraging storytelling and cross-promotional strategies, such as linking different shows through shared themes or credits, to draw audiences and keep them engaged.

"Our musical featured crossovers with other shows. For example, after the main performance, we include special segments in the credits that showcase different stories around female characters," said Liang Yanni, choreographer of the musical.

Official data shows Shanghai has consistently maintained the top position in China's national night economy index throughout 2025. The increase is also reflected in theater bookings.

"Our musical, which began its run at the end of May and continues through tonight, has now reached its 66th performance. It will run until October 8, with a total of 103 scheduled shows. Our musical has accounted for approximately 70 to 80 percent of the total box office revenue in the musical theater market," said Tian Xin, producer and presenter of the musical.

Young visitors embrace vibrant nightlife culture in Shanghai

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near