During this trip to Nanning, I was unexpectedly blown away by the flavor of Geshanrou (diaphragm meat); I can’t believe I overlooked such an authentic local delicacy for so long. The Xiguan Night Market stretches out like a vibrant, hundred-meter dragon of “fire and smoke,” remaining a hub of bustling activity well into the early hours. Combined with the seemingly endless stalls of clothing near Chaoyang Square, the sheer scale of the night market here is something rarely seen elsewhere.

The City God Temple remains as lively as ever. A band seems to have taken up permanent residence there, playing on without a worry of disturbing the “City God” himself. Nanning is undoubtedly a prime example of the “Temple-Market Symbiosis” that has persisted since the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. As new traditional-style buildings rise near the Xinhui Gathering Hall, the “Three Streets and Two Alleys” area continues to expand. Here, alongside local staples like Suanye (pickled fruits), oysters, and Luosifen, modern icons like Pop Mart and AI are everywhere—a clear sign of the times moving forward.

I stumbled upon a 24-hour pottery shop by the roadside, which momentarily reminded me of those overnight record stalls in Hong Kong. Perhaps it’s because, in the dead of night, it’s much easier to just “move the person” than it is to pack up and move the stock.