Vibrant residents boost night economy in 'furnace city'

CHONGQING — Despite nighttime temperatures hovering above 30 C, the Nanping subdistrict in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality remains bustling, with hotpot restaurants, cafes and bars continuing to thrive.

"The Zhengjie and Houbao blocks in the subdistrict are renowned for their delicious food and diverse cultural activities, attracting people from all walks of life to unwind after work," said Li Bo, Party secretary of the Zhengjie block, adding that these two areas draw an average of 5,000 visitors daily.

Although the metropolis had issued several red alerts for heat, the highest level in the country's color-coded alert system, people continued to ramble along the riverside, ate hotpot in air-raid shelters and stepped into bars and cafes to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.