Residents stroll along a brightly lit street in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Morning News]

Hohhot, capital city of North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region -- even while strengthening its novel coronavirus epidemic prevention and control measures -- is making great strides in boosting its urban vitality by gradually resuming the development of the previously vibrant night economy, according to local media reports.

The expression night economy refers to various kinds of commercial and shopping activities that are available after dusk, which are predominantly services such as food, entertainment, tourism and transport services.

Officials said Hohhot has rolled out favorable policies and funds to support the night economy, as part of its consumer spending upgrade action plan.

The city selected one to two areas for each central business district, tourism and cultural area to develop a unique night economy and additionally planned nightly promotional activities with quirky and fun themes.

Officials said the city has combined regional characteristics to create a number of landmark shopping and functional social areas to boost the development of the night economy.