People ride a virtual reality balloon at the "Amazing Night in Hangzhou" cultural and tourism market in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, Aug 14. [Photo/IC]

The vitality of Hangzhou's nighttime economy was once evident on a list published by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, with Shangcheng and Xiacheng districts named as pilot areas and Yuhang and Gongshu districts recognized as having development potential, local media reported Sept 8.

At Hubin Pedestrian Street in Shangcheng district, restaurants newly opened in the city, such as Diandoude and Men Wah Bing Teng Cantonese canteens, are always bustling with people, with the number of tables climbing to 200. The local night fair, virtual reality games, Han Chinese clothing festival and other cultural activities are attracting crowds.

The success of the nighttime economy permeating every corner of Hangzhou was partly attributed to its stable power supply, while electricity consumption at night has reflected the energy of nighttime economy.

Hangzhou, dubbed a leader in digital governance, has since this April taken electricity consumption as a measurement to indicate the state of play of the nighttime economy in every district and county-level city. Its work of rolling out targeted plans and organizing activities has gradually paid off through attracting public and commercial attention and yielding practical benefits.

Zhejiang province is also planning to design and develop 50 night fairs in the region, aiming to meet consumers' needs in an all-weather way.