By: Wang Yujing, Guo Jianping, Correspondents Shi Chunzhou, Ye Guanqing (Text and Photos)

A variety of events at shopping centers attracted crowds of residents and tourists.

　　In the gentle sea breeze of May, the ancient city of Quanzhou unveiled a dynamic portrait of consumer vitality. During the May Day holiday, under the banner "Shopping in China, Enjoying All of Fujian," the city's commerce system coordinated efforts across municipalities and counties, forging partnerships between government and businesses to host nearly 100 consumer promotion events. These activities created an immersive, integrated experience that combined shopping with entertainment. From flagship store openings and exclusive discounts to intangible cultural heritage performances and street dance shows, commercial hubs like Zhongjun World City, Jinyue Chunjiangli, Kaiyuan Shengshi Plaza, and Jinjiang Wanda Plaza bustled with unprecedented consumer enthusiasm.

　　The city's supply and marketing cooperatives also launched an innovative "Cultural Tourism + Consumer Benefits" series, energizing both urban and rural markets for local specialties. This initiative helped integrate high-quality agricultural products from villages into city markets. With more than 100 events, Quanzhou welcomed both domestic and international visitors, blending commerce, culture, and tourism to ignite the vibrant spirit of this World Heritage city.

　　Trendy Hotspots: Street Dance Meets Ancient City Charm

　　"It's my first time seeing a KOD street dance competition live—the rhythm of breakdancing practically syncs with my heartbeat!" exclaimed Ms. Lin, a tourist from Xiamen, clutching a limited-edition "Zanhua Little Sister" collectible at Zhongjun World City.

　　From May 1 to 5, the globally renowned KOD street dance competition made its debut in Fujian at Zhongjun World City. Over 300 street dance enthusiasts transformed the ancient city's storied calm into a dynamic rhythm of light and movement. Inside the mall, flagship store windows sparkled with vibrant displays, while newly opened designer boutiques drew long lines. An intelligent shopping assistant provided exclusive discounts to members, driving a 40% surge in online inquiries.

　　"Last year, there weren't nearly as many flagship stores. I came this year just to shop the exclusive releases," shared Mr. Zhang from Fuzhou, shopping bag in hand. He witnessed firsthand a 35% increase in foot traffic and record sales across more than 60 brands.

　　Immersive Experiences: A Night Sky Lit with Fireworks

　　At Jinyue Chunjiangli's rooftop observation deck, Ms. Li from Guangzhou marveled at the dazzling waterfall fireworks show with her family: "The sparks on the river looked like falling stars—so romantic!" This venue's May Day festivities included genuine discounts, such as 50% off dining and buy-one-get-one-free entertainment, transforming the consumer experience into an immersive theater. High-wire performers soared above rooftops, while stilt-walking clowns delighted the crowds with balloon shows. Families paused at traditional sugar painting stalls, while young couples browsed handmade accessories at the starry-night camping market. With over 100,000 visitors, the atmosphere blended dining, entertainment, and shopping into one unforgettable experience.

　　At the Jinjiang Wanda Plaza's intangible cultural heritage food fair, the aroma of rice dumplings and spring rolls filled the air. Mr. Chen, a car enthusiast from Hangzhou, carefully compared auto show brochures, remarking, "I didn't expect Quanzhou's trade-in subsidies to be so generous—and I even got to test-drive several EV brands on site."

　　Inside the 37th Quanzhou International Auto Show's 40,000-square-meter exhibition area, more than 70 automotive brands showcased over 800 models. Nearby, the home appliance section bustled with residents seeking "trade-in" deals. "I'm buying a new fridge for my parents—thanks to the on-site subsidies, I saved nearly a thousand yuan," said Ms. Wang, a local resident, reflecting the strong momentum of this green and smart consumption wave.

　　As lanterns lit up West Street at dusk, tourists fresh from a traditional Nanyin performance wandered into the night market. This May Day holiday, Quanzhou's nearly 100 consumer events transformed shopping districts into trendy destinations, turned policy subsidies into consumer incentives, and made every visitor's smile a vivid symbol of the city's vibrant spirit.

　　From Village to City: Activating the Local Specialties Market

　　While bustling crowds filled urban shopping districts, the "village-to-city" movement for local specialties also gained remarkable momentum.

　　From seaside fireworks shows to vibrant supply-and-marketing markets, Quanzhou's supply and marketing cooperatives capitalized on the holiday economy. They creatively organized "Cultural Tourism + Consumer Benefits" activities that fully activated the market for local specialties, driving the flow of high-quality agricultural products from villages to cities. These efforts offered residents and tourists alike a rich blend of cultural experiences, consumer discounts, and leisure entertainment.

　　Preliminary statistics show that during the May Day holiday, supply and marketing cooperatives hosted a variety of sales events at 15 key shopping districts and tourist sites, attracting over 650,000 visitors. These events generated more than 2 million yuan in direct income for farmers and merchants and boosted overall consumption to over 20 million yuan—more than double last year's figures.

　　Though silent, these numbers reveal the enduring consumer appeal of Quanzhou—a city at the start of the Maritime Silk Routes—whose vibrant heritage continues to shine through every footfall and sales figure.