Revamping the Shanghai night market

For a bustling Chinese city, Shanghai has a pretty pitiful night market in the form of Wujianglu (especially when compared to Hong Kong and Taiwan). Now, the Shanghai government is thinking of overhauling the market right before the World Expo.

According to Xinmin, they are hoping to put in place regulations that would make the market serve as a main entertainment area for both local Shanghainese and foreigners as well as ensuring that "street food" night market stalls don't interfere with traffic around the city.

Any change seems like it will be good, since a Xinmin Wu Jiang Lu street survey revealed that most people weren't happy with the market as is: many complained about the bad environment, dim lights, lack of other entertainment facilities and short operating hours. They also argued that the night markets in Shanghai need a lot of developments and improvements.

So what are they hoping for?

According to the paper's netizen survey, 19 voted for "Shanghai needs a regulated night market, and we are looking forward it;" 19 others voted for "We are worrying about the quality of service, transportation, and all other supporting facilities."

Meanwhile, 11 voted for "It is pointless to set up a night market by only copying from Taiwan" and 13 voted for "Shopping malls and entertainment facilities should be built around the night market as well."