By daylight, Cixi – a manufacturing powerhouse in Zhejiang province on the Chinese mainland – thrums with the production of small appliances shipped worldwide. But as dusk falls, the city sheds its industrial skin to reveal a sizzling nocturnal identity: steaming woks, charcoal grills, and the infectious laughter of food lovers.
In a recent exploration of this culinary duality, CGTN host Sergey Gordeev navigated Cixi’s after-dark food stalls, sampling grilled oysters bursting with garlic aroma, plump dumplings dripping with broth, and even a daring bite of crispy fried scorpion – all while challenging himself to stay within a 50 yuan ($7) budget. His journey underscores how local economies diversify after hours, blending tradition with modern entrepreneurship.
Night markets like these aren’t just feeding residents and curious travelers. They’re microcosms of China’s grassroots economy, where small vendors account for over 60% of urban employment according to recent municipal reports. For business analysts, it’s a case study in informal sector resilience; for cultural explorers, a gateway to understanding Zhejiang’s regional flavors.
As midnight oil burns in both factories and food carts, Cixi embodies Asia’s unique ability to harmonize productivity with pleasure – one skewer at a time.
