City is struggling to revive nightlife as it grapples with shifting tourism patterns, changed spending habits and economic slowdown after emerging from pandemicYoung people remain lukewarm to nightlife, stores are closing earlier and residents are drawn to other destinations such as Shenzhen, Tokyo and Seoul
City is struggling to revive nightlife as it grapples with shifting tourism patterns, changed spending habits and economic slowdown after emerging from pandemic.
Clarissa Wei, CNN • Updated 23rd December 2020
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(CNN) A decade ago, Shilin Night Market was one of the hottest night markets in Taipei, packed to the brim with vendors slinging out hot bites of stinky tofu, barbecue squid and copious amounts of grilled meats on skewers.
Taipei culture writer Jason Cheung, who has been meticulously documenting the night market s history on his blog, is convinced those days are long gone. It used to be so packed, you could barely move your arms, he says, walking down an alley flanked by food vendors on both sides, his arms outstretched. Today on a Friday night the market is at less than half its usual capacity.