Night tour at French-style street in Kunming

Every night from 8:00 to 10:30 pm, office workers in Kunming City would visit the French-style street featuring elements of the century-old Yunnan-Vietnam railway. Located near Lianmeng Road of Panlong District, the distinct street funded by Aosidi Group makes a good place for leisure. Here, folks either get a knickknack for themselves, pick a flower for their love, or try some imported fine fruits. They have much fun. 

“Besides normal operations, we plan to roll out more products at annual gatherings and afternoon tea parties.” Mr. Yang Fei, boss of Andy Hull Resto Bar, was discussing the marketing plan with his staff members, given the popularity of the French-style street among local folks. Yang said he chose to open the bar here because of the well-developed consumer marker in the neighborhood. Also, he believes the general planning of the area will form sound development in the long run. 

According to Li Yanqing, general manager of business operation at the Yunnan Aosidi Industrial Group, the creative French-style market planned by her company consists of special stalls, flower sales, fruit sections and snack areas. Based on its existing size, the tourist street will be upgraded and renovated. When expansion of the bar section and the Auguste Francois theme park is finished, business activities will be even more diverse and the well-planned area will be a sleepless town. Auguste was the late French consul in Kunming. 

The rules-based market has invited in more than 600 businesses, which competed for the 150 stalls in the street. In terms of sales, their daily business volume range from hundreds to thousands of yuan. Also, some white-collar workers conduct business at the night market for extra income. 

“We are the sales champion at the Lianmeng creative market.” At 8:00pm, the only stall selling alluvial gold was packed. The stall was run by Qian Jingshu and her senior sister, who were trying to sell out all goods at the store whose rent would be overdue soon. The sisters have been doing business here since the inception of the French-style street. 

“It is easy to have business access into the street, and the rent for a shop is less than 1,000 yuan per month. At night, the sound business environment is guaranteed by market inspectors,” said Qian, adding they would continue business here after the sales. 

It was almost 10:00pm, when Ms. Zhou came to the street after her routine of a Tibetan Guozhuang dance nearby. “I’d like to get a fish tank with landscape miniatures in it. The market is tidy and with clear divisions, I can found things easily,” Zhou said, adding she often enjoys her free time at the French-style street.

Reporting by Li Hengqiang and Yao Chengcheng; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue