Night falls over Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province. On the north bank of the Haidian River, the sky is lit up by a kaleidoscope of lights as vendors begin peddling a dazzling array of goods from the trunks of their own cars. This kind of nocturnal car-boot sale has become increasingly popular in recent times.

A new kind of nightlife springs up along Haikou’s Haidian River

As the sun went down, dozens of cars gathered on the plaza at the end of Xixili Commercial Street, which runs along the north bank of the Haidian River. From the trunks of these cars emerged quintessential ‘pop-up stores’, attracting many visitors to come and visit. A vast majority of these vendors sell food and drinks, and they will bring folding tables and chairs to place in front of their ‘stores’ so that customers can enjoy the food, the music, and the evening breeze along the river bank in relative comfort.  

"We mainly sell bubble tea and some street food, and make four or five hundred yuan per night on average," said one vendor. Foot traffic is one thing that the north bank of Haidian River has in abundance, so predictably, many people stop by every night to grab a bite and chill with their friends. "Compared with ordinary stores, the 'car-boot night market' allows us to be closer to customers, meet different friends, and sometimes even meet like-minded business associates," explained the owner.

A dazzling array of products are displayed in the trunks of private cars.

In addition to bubble tea, cocktails, street foods like Hainanese Zhazha (fried dishes), and handmade products are also on offer. "I like this kind of lively market very much, and some of the products sold here are quite interesting. It’s hard to walk by without buying something," said Ms. Chen, a local resident who often takes a walk along the riverbank.

The ebullient night economy of the cultural and commercial quarter on the north bank of the Haidian River in Haikou

"This commercial quarter on the north bank of Haidian River is about 7.8 kilometers long. It is the first area in Haikou that brings together sectors such as business, tourism and culture," explained Ma Haijun, general manager of Haikou Meilan District Tourism Investment Development Co., Ltd. As part of the project to revitalize the area, a 200-meter demonstration stretch of riverbank lighting has already been completed. The next step will be to continue promoting the overall improvement of the local environment, including greening, and completing the lighting transformation along the riverbank, Ma added.