Shanghai's heritage restaurants in the bustling commercial areas of Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road are now staying open later, offering tourists a taste of the city's culinary heritage well into the night.

This initiative aims to transform these traditional establishments into "midnight canteens" — late-night eateries offering light meals.

The extended hours respond to a survey by the Huangpu District State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which revealed strong demand for late-night dining options, especially those offering light meals and beverages.

Restaurants participating in the initiative have witnessed a significant boost in sales.

At Lao Da Tong, a restaurant located just off Nanjing Road, business remains robust late into the night.

Wang, a tourist from Shandong province, shared his surprise at finding the restaurant open after visiting the Bund: "It truly is 'Sleepless Shanghai', with so many shops still lit up so late."

Wang Yuwen, manager of Lao Da Tong, noted that nighttime business after 10 pm now matches the evening rush after 7 pm.

The restaurant's additional operating hours generate an extra 1,000 ($139.25) to 2,000 yuan in revenue daily, in addition to its normal 20,000 to 25,000 yuan in daily sales.

Daoxiangcun, a century-old Chinese pastry brand, is also experiencing a surge in business at its Bund branch.

Bao Xiaojin, the store manager, said that the restaurant now extends business hours until 11 pm, with tourists even requesting orders after closing time.

The store's daily sales average 150,000 yuan in the summer, with an additional sales increase of 10 percent to 15 percent thanks to the extended hours.

Huangpu district plans to further develop the nighttime economy by encouraging collaborations with shopping districts to create rooftop bars, themed night markets, outdoor dining areas, and limited-time pedestrian streets.

Source: Jiefang Daily