The pedestrian street is always crowded with visitors at night. [Photo by Miao Xiaojian]

The Sunwen West Road Culture and Tourism Pedestrian Street is lighted up as night falls. This time-honored street, filled with commercial atmosphere, still enjoys the most appealing night views in Zhongshan and is favored by merchants, vendors, citizens and tourists. 

"When I first came to Zhongshan for work 10 years ago, my friend told me that the Sunwen West Road pedestrian street is a must-visit place in Zhongshan. Ten years have passed, and I still agree with that. So I specially bring my friends, who come from Guizhou, to walk around here tonight," said Sun Xiang, who has settled down in Torch Development Zone.

Chen Jing, who lives on Liantang Road, said that she enjoys strolling around the pedestrian street. "There are the most fashionable apparel, shoes and hats on sale in the street at a low price," said Chen, adding that she doesn't make much money so that she prefers to do shopping in the pedestrian street rather than in upscale department stores.

Mr Pan, over 50, has been running a tailor's shop for more than 15 years in an old alley behind the pedestrian street. "My business comes from the clothing stores in the pedestrian street. I tailor the clothes according to their customers' requests." Mr Pan admitted that he usually earns more at night than during the daytime. 

In the east Fenyuan Street, a tricycle with a small light bulb, loaded with piles of seasonal fruits, comes as Yan Xiangui's stall. Around 6 pm every night, the 60-year-old will show up at the street corner and sell special fruits from her hometown to the tourists. "I usually shut the stall around midnight, and I can earn 100 yuan to 200 yuan a night." 

Statistics from the management company of the Sunwen West Road Culture and Tourism Pedestrian Street show that there are over 140 stores and a larger number of street merchants and vendors doing business in the pedestrian street.

A customer surnamed Zhao said he had read the news 2 years ago that Shiqi District was preparing to renovate the pedestrian street and upgrade it to a "pedestrian city". Zhao said he hoped the government will put the project on the agenda. "The state encourages the development of nighttime economy to boost consumption. I think the pedestrian street would be a very good booster."