Zhengding Night Market draws foodie crowds

The Zhengding Night Market in Zhengding county, Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei province, has once again become a major attraction, drawing large crowds and online attention.

Covering over 10,000 square meters with more than 600 stalls, the market offers a vast array of regional specialties from all over the country, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere described by visitors as "stunning" and a "true foodie paradise", according to a comment article by Wuxian Shijiazhuang, an official mobile media platform of Shijiazhuang Radio and Television Station.

This resurgence in popularity, following its initial viral success last April, is attributed to deliberate efforts of local authorities.

Located near Zhengding Railway Station, close to a small commodities market, the site transforms from a daytime parking lot into a lively "midnight canteen" each evening.

Beyond the food, the market focuses intensely on the visitor experience. Authorities have implemented robust management covering stall operations, site layout, food safety, and emergency response.

A notable example was the deployment of mobile signal boosters last year to address visitor complaints about poor network connectivity.

Zhengding is also leveraging its rich cultural heritage alongside the market's success.

The county is promoting nighttime cultural tourism, integrating the market with scenic night views of the ancient town, flower-viewing at Rongguo Mansion, and light shows over the Hutuo River.

Supportive measures like free public parking and drinking water at major attractions further enhance visitor satisfaction.

The night market in Zhengding exemplifies how combining local character, attentive service, and cultural depth can create a sustainable and popular destination, offering lessons for nighttime economic development elsewhere, the comment said.