Old meets new in revamped Ningbo market

Revamped Chenglixiang Market in Ningbo brings culture to shopping with a traditional opera stage in the courtyard. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

A wet market in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has undergone a remarkable transformation, blending cultural heritage with modern amenities to attract both older and younger generations.

On March 18, the Chenglixiang Market in Ningbo's Fenghua district reopened with a new look: gray brick facades reminiscent of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), a central courtyard with a traditional opera stage, and an old-fashioned teahouse. As Ningbo's first market with its own performance stage, the launch event drew massive crowds.

"This is not just about renovating a market— it's cultural preservation," said Wang Yang, the market's project director. He explained that the original site had an old opera stage, which has now been restored to bring back a sense of nostalgia.

"It recreates the bustling market scenes from history," he added.

The redesigned 2,200-square-meter space includes digital price tags, real-time pesticide test results, and a diverse mix of 44 standardized vendor stalls and 33 specialty shops. A community tea room and a one-stop convenience service center further enhance the experience.

"Business is much better now," said Li Shuicui, a tofu vendor whose stall has been a local favorite, "The environment is improved, the food is fresh, and the prices are reasonable. We start making tofu at 1:00 am, and by the afternoon, we're sold out."

To cater to both seniors and younger consumers, the market integrates tradition with modern engagement strategies. Seniors can earn shopping points for services like free haircuts and health check-ups, while younger visitors are drawn to photogenic spaces, interactive workshops, and trendy food stalls.

"We studied the flow of young shoppers — weekdays are quieter, but on weekends, they account for 45 percent of our foot traffic," said Wu Zuohong, a member of the market's operation team, "So, we've started to have fresh seafood in the mornings for seniors and curated 'weekend-for-two' meal kits for young couples."