Many people feel summer evenings are much more agreeable than daytime. It's cooler and the neon lights create a glittering skyline. So to enjoy the evening, some prefer to have fun and stay up until late at night. In case that they may need some snacks, drinks or things urgently to have fun, both Beijing and Shanghai have many convenience stores operating around the clock to serve their needs at any hour.

 

Beijing

 

Seven-Eleven

 

Seven-Eleven has lots of food on hand, like instant noodles, biscuits, potato chips, chewing gum, as well as magazines, newspapers, hair care products, batteries, cigars, beer and even Chinese Maotai wine, which is a must for a formal Chinese banquet.

 

Seven-Eleven features fresh -made food as well as fresh local food, such as deep-fried dough sticks, soybean milk, hot rice porridge, and various breads.

 

Location: No.5 Dongzhimei Neidajie, Dongcheng District

Tel: 010-84060189

 

Beijing Green Tree Market

 

Green Tree Market features Korean goods ranging from food to things for daily use. Here ice cream lovers can find original Korean ice cream which are reasonably priced, about 10 yuan each.

 

Green Tree Market also has a counter dedicated to Korean skin care product line The Face Shop, which aren't too expensive. Shoppers who are hungry late at night can also find fresh sushi here, which are made by chefs on the spot.

 

Location: No.18 Wangzhuanglu, Wudaokou, Haidian District

Tel: 010-62318113

 

Hi-24

 

This is the favorite spot of middle school students who come here for lunch.

 

Hi-24 stores are usually not big and things here are priced a bit higher than most other convenient stores. Yet here shoppers can always find the latest snacks and drinks. Besides, at Hi-24 stores shopper can also recharge their IC bus transportation card here.

 

Location: No.178 Di'anmen Waidajie, Xicheng District

Tel: 010-64045257

 

Shanghai 

 

C-Store

 

C-Store is most famous for its food, ranging from the most common guandongzhu, skewers of meat balls or seafood cooked in a big pot, to some snacks rarely seen in convenience stores like curry fish balls and spicy fish balls. C-Store also features a good selection of various breads.

 

In addition, C-Store has regular promotions which helps shoppers feel like their money is better spent here.

 

Location: No.3313 Hongmeilu, Minhang District

Tel: 021-64015329

 

Lawson

 

Lawson is well known for its various snacks, but different from C-Store's Chinese food dominated selection. Lawson's food is more exotic, as sushi is its signature food. The 16-pack features four different kinds of rolls, while the 4-pack is priced at only 4 yuan.

 

Lawson also boasts a wide variety of sandwiches. The all-wheat tuna sandwich is its best seller. Soybean ice cream is Lawson's specialty and it's quite popular among girls on a diet.

 

Location: No.341 Wusonglu, Hongkou District

Tel: 021-63561623

 

All Days

 

These stores are normally a bit larger than typical convenience stores. What sells best at All Days is its rice and eggs, which are a bit cheaper than most other convenience stores. That's because All Days is affiliated with the agricultural, industrial and business government department. Its dairy counter is also popular among shoppers. The best-selling snack to go are tea-preserved eggs.

 

Location: No.375 Ouyanglu, Hongkou District

Tel: 021-65223274

 

(China Daily July 11, 2007)