Shanghai to develop night markets

Shanghai's district authorities are to release detailed documents on the development of seasonal night markets.

They will also establish unified management standards on business registration, support facilities, business areas, operation times and hygiene supervision and management.

The aims is to create environmentally friendly and safe "midnight canteens," said Xu Zhihu, director of the Shanghai Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau.

A trial of street stalls in some areas with suitable conditions in certain hours will be conducted, according to Xu.

Urban management and law enforcement authorities have closed about 293,000 illegal street stalls since 2017, according to the bureau.

Meanwhile, Shanghai has appointed its first "nightlife director."

Huangpu district's deputy director Chen Zhuofu will be assisted by five "nightlife CEOs," mainly experienced executives at downtown landmarks such as Yuyuan Garden Malls, Shanghai New World and Xintiandi.

Huangpu has been operating a number of popular nightlife destinations such as Xintiandi and Found 158, featuring bars and eateries from across the world.

These sites have become especially popular with foreign residents and tourists.

Several downtown nightlife attractions were also unveiled on Friday at the launch of the Huaihai Carnival.

They include the Cool Docks, a commercial complex developed from the city's historical Shiliupu Wharf along the Huangpu River. The dock will feature stylish bars, recreation clubs, themed restaurants and trendy retail outlets at night.

The Yunnan Road eatery street will attract nightlife lovers with bars, time-honored Shanghai eateries and famous Chinese traditional cuisines.

Yuanmingyuan Road near the Bund will develop some of its English-style historical structures into bars and restaurants as well as art exhibitions.

The Central on Nanjing Road E., a commercial complex with four classic properties built in the 1930s, will highlight commercial, tourism, cultural resources as well as fashion shows in the evening.

Detailed regulations will be released to ensure the orderly operation of these nightlife spaces and prevent the noise, the drunks and the fights of the past.

According to regulations released by Shanghai's Commission of Commerce and other authorities, the city aims to develop a prosperous nightlife economy between 7pm and 6am.

Bars that meet requirements will be allowed to have tables on the street at certain periods. Some streets will also be closed to traffic at certain times for bars and late-night snack stalls.