On the first weekend of the New Year, Jiahe Alley on Longqing Road in Kunming was bustling with energy and vitality. The 24-hour Guochao Night Market pedestrian street was a welcoming haven for those returning home late.

Step into Jiahe Alley, and a feast for the palate begins. Fragrant smoke rises, retro waves roll in, and ethnic charm and intertwining tantalize your taste buds. As night falls and neon lights illuminate the streets, a stroll through the alley envelops you in a warm, relaxed atmosphere that easily captures your heart. The shopkeepers here are warm and hospitable, with pleasant conversations and thoughtful craftsmanship to satisfy your appetite and emotional needs.

Walking from one end of the street to the other, you will be greeted by many mouth-watering culinary treasures, making for a delightful experience with no missteps. The rich and robust flavors of Kunming’s ancient cuisine greet you—this is a fried food lover’s paradise, where you can indulge for just 20 yuan per person, leaving you so full you might need to lean against the wall to walk. For seasoned potato enthusiasts, there is a potato feast. Be tender and juicy; freshly cooked firewood chicken will win every eater's heart. Authentic Shiping tofu served with a spicy dipping sauce releases an irresistible aroma to whet your appetite. Various grilled dishes create a wonderful symphony on your palate. When fried foods, firewood chicken, and specialty snacks leave you feeling greasy, a refreshing juice or milk tea is the perfect companion to cleanse your palate.

However, the charm of Jiahe Alley goes beyond just food; it is also a dreamland for retro enthusiasts. Vintage photo studios, retro stages, rickshaws, and old-fashioned telephones are scattered throughout, creating picturesque scenes that transport you back to the 1980s and 1990s, with a nostalgic atmosphere that is thick and palpable. This is perhaps the most vibrant and lively urban "commercial district" in Kunming.

Coinciding with its second anniversary, the 24-hour Guochao Night Market hosted a 40-meter-long New Year's banquet for three consecutive days, showcasing delightful experiences for the 150,000 residents. The banquet featured aromatic food, thrilling intangible cultural heritage fire pot shows, lively lion dance performances, stunning Sichuan opera face-changing acts, and joyful interactions with Guochao NPCs and magicians. Children dressed in new clothes laughed and played while adults reminisced about their youth to the melodies of millennial oldies, making heartfelt wishes for the future.

Its deep sense of familiarity touches the heart most about Jiahe Alley. It feels like a magical glue that binds the everyday details within a 1.5-kilometer radius with warm and colorful vibrancy, weaving a beautiful tapestry filled with the warmth of life. Time seems to slow down here, and the beauty becomes more prosperous and profound. This year, when you do not feel like cooking, gather your family and head to Jiahe Alley to eat well and savor every moment!

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(Editors: Jennifer, Reena)