The Youxi Water Market along the Fengcheng River in Hailing district, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, has emerged as a sensational tourism hit during the recently concluded National Day holiday from Oct 1 to 7, drawing massive crowds that left visitors joking it was impossible to squeeze through.
Visitors enjoy nighttime cultural performances by the Fengcheng River in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Following a successful summer trial, the night-consumption hub underwent a comprehensive upgrade for the National Day holiday. By blending local elements such as morning tea culture, traditional Chinese opera, and salt tax culture into immersive water-land scenarios, the market transformed the ancient moat into a live theatrical stage.
Visitors browse market stalls at the Youxi Water Market on the Fengcheng River in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
During the holiday week, the scenic area and its surroundings welcomed over 600,000 visitor trips — a 10.57 percent increase year-on-year. Single-day visitors surpassed 100,000, setting a historic autumn record. Total tourism revenue rose by 16.61 percent compared to the same period last year, driving merchant sales past 25 million yuan ($3.73 million).
A mesmerizing molten iron flower performance illuminates the night sky above the Fengcheng River in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Visitors enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including bamboo raft instrument performances, ancient-style boat dances, interactive historical mystery plays, water magic shows, and drone light displays. Local officials noted that the project successfully turns ecological and cultural assets into vibrant, tangible night-tourism experiences, painting a lively picture of urban water culture in Taizhou.