The city of Hangzhou holds an outdoor fair spotlighting creative cultural products under the theme "Amazing Night in Hangzhou" to bolster its night economy. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The city of Hangzhou is launching a series of cultural activities through the end of October to bolster its night economy.

One of the highlights was an outdoor fair of creative cultural products under the theme "Amazing Night in Hangzhou", which ran from July 30 to Aug 1, saw five nationwide museums and seven local museums showcasing multiple creations inspired by their iconic exhibits.

To reflect the archeological ruins of Hangzhou's Liangzhu city, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2019, patterns from cong jade artifacts from Liangzhu dating back 5,000 years were added to the fans, umbrellas and silk items that have long been local specialties of the city.

The city of Hangzhou holds an outdoor fair spotlighting creative cultural products under the theme "Amazing Night in Hangzhou" to bolster its night economy. [Photo provided to China Daily]

There were also souvenirs designed by the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou decorated with illustrations of animals, costumes, architecture and trade scenes along the ancient Silk Road, the trade routes connecting China with other civilizations in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Elements typical of Indian, Persian, and Central Asian cultures are seen in these illustrations.

Bulgarian artist Assadour Markarov, also a professor at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, turned bamboo pipes, colorful strips of cloth and threads into a loom-shaped installation. With a dappled lighting effect, silhouettes of modern cities expressed the artist’s reflections on the past and the future.

The city of Hangzhou holds an outdoor fair spotlighting creative cultural products under the theme "Amazing Night in Hangzhou" to bolster its night economy. [Photo provided to China Daily]