Shanghai Nightlife 2.0

Shanghai, renowned for its fashion-forward lifestyle and coffee culture, is witnessing a surprising shift among its young population. Instead of frequenting bars and clubs, they are now flocking to night schools and reshaping their evenings.

Night schools, a concept introduced in China during the 1980s to provide professional education during non-working hours, have taken on a fresh look in the modern metropolis.

The Shanghai Citizen Night School for Arts, often called the "Shanghai night school", has become a hub for the city's young people to explore their artistic sensibilities and diverse lifestyles. Instead of being geared toward professional development, these courses cater to personal interests like handicrafting, wine tasting, improvised drama, and bridge.

With a semester comprising of 12 lessons and a fee of 500 yuan ($68), it's no surprise that the current term sold out online in just five minutes, according to Shine, a digital media platform by Shanghai Daily.

For young Shanghai residents, night schools offer not only extracurricular experiences but also a smart and creative way to spend their leisure time. "The purpose of spending money is to fill a period of time, and attending night school can fill that time with a palpable sense of accomplishment," a student of Shanghai night school told Sanlian Lifeweek, the renowned Chinese lifestyle magazine.