Although night has fallen, the Shanghai Exhibition Center, the main venue of the 2019 Shanghai Book Fair, is still bustling with book lovers, especially off-work office workers and the elderly, who enjoy “cultural night snacks”.

Aunt Gu is a frequent visitor to the Shanghai Book Fair who loves reading and then encouraging her offspring to read the books she has finished. She says she will visit the fair the next evening once again. “It's a little bit scorching in the day, so I will come in the evening. And there will not be so many people, plus the ticket fare is half-discounted.”

Office workers are also the main force for the fair’s nighttime operations. Miss Zhou, who works in the business circle of West Nanjing Road, a place not far away from the exhibition center, also visited the book fair at night. “I have watched a lot of popular ancient costume TV dramas recently, so I want to buy some ancient Chinese books to study at home and learn more historical knowledge,” said Zhou, lingering in the Chinese Culture Pavilion where stacks of ancient Chinese books are displayed.

This year’s Shanghai Book Fair will last for seven days. In addition to buying books, the citizens who go to the fair at night can also participate in various wonderful cultural activities held at night.