The eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province made the list of China's top 10 cities with the most influential nighttime economies in 2020.

The list was jointly released by the Liaowang Institute, a domestic research organization under the Xinhua News Agency, and Chinese Internet conglomerate Tencent Holdings on Jan 20.

Qingdao took fourth place, while the top three spots went to Chongqing, Chengdu, and Changsha. Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Wuhan also made the list.

A night view of Qingdao, Shandong province [Photo by Song Xinhua/guanhai.com.cn]

The list was formed after comprehensive evaluations and analyses of the nighttime economy influence, innovation, industrial scale, and business area flow of 50 domestic cities.

Nighttime economy refers to service sector activity that takes place between 6 pm and 6 am. It has played a vital role in boosting consumption, creating jobs, raising the quality of life, and injecting vitality into local economic development.

In recent years, Qingdao has been ramping up efforts to build nighttime landmarks, business districts, and living areas throughout the city. It also hopes to develop into an international fashion hub.

In addition, the city has made special efforts to develop local bar streets and renovate old urban areas.

By the end of 2020, the city had 25 bar streets covering a total area of nearly one million square meters.

Official statistics show that last year, nighttime sales at Qingdao's key shopping malls accounted for more than 50 percent of their total turnover, and nighttime catering consumption accounted for 55 percent of the city's total catering industry turnover, creating 10,000 new jobs.