Diners that are open all night manifest the vitality of the nighttime economy. [Photo/Zhongshan Daily]

Streetlights illuminates the old streets. Under the light there are well-known food stores among Shiqi people. These "mid-night diners" have stayed with the Shiqi old town at nights for decades.

Around mid-night on August 27, at the crossing of Baiyuan Road and Huayuan Street. Under a few bright lights, a dozen people gathered around desks, waiting for the delicious night snacks.

The 30-year-old Qiqing Restaurant stands here.

"My grandfather began to run Qiqing, and I'm the third generation that runs the restaurant. It is open from 5 pm to 4 am next day, mainly serving dinner and night snacks," said the restaurant owner Mr Pang, adding that they can earn several thousand yuan a night.

Mr Pang said most of the customers for night snacks were frequent visitors, including old neighbors who get used to sleep early or stay up late, designated drivers and taxi drivers who just get off work around 3 or 4 am, as well as young people who need some food to alleviate a hangover. 

Around 2 am, there were few pedestrians on Minsheng Road in Shiqi District. However, a stew food shop called Yishou was brightly lit.

The diner was crowed with people, with the television playing an old movie. Impact sounds of spoons and conversation and laughter of the customers make the restaurant bustling.

Since it opened over 30 years ago, Yishou has become the oldest mid-night diner in Shiqi District. "We have been open for business 24 hours a day for over 20 years," said the 46-year-old owner Mr Xu, also the second generation of the store owner.

In fact, there are quite a few "mid-night diners" like Qiqing and Yishou in the old areas of Shiqi District. These special stores not only manifest the vitality of the nighttime economy in old town, but also reflect citizens' incomparable love of life.