Chinanews, Hangzhou, Jan. 18 – This year, Western Valentine's Day falls only three days before China's traditional Spring Festival holiday. An interesting phenomenon has thus appeared in Yiwu, a small city in Zhejiang, which is also the world's largest small commodities distribution center where cultures of different countries are observed. When holiday feast is a must for most Chinese people at the Spring Festival Eve, many local people in Yiwu plan to order a romantic Western-style dinner at large hotels this year to celebrate Valentine’s Day also.

 

Even Valentine’s Day is still 20 days away, many large hotels and high-class Western-style restaurants in Yiwu are already fully booked for the holiday. If one still wants to make reservations in hotels, they might have to book a seat in the big hall. Restaurant managers had not expected that such “romantic meals” would become so popular this year.

 

“Reservations (for Valentine’s Day) are made at a much earlier time this year than previous years. All the small dining rooms in our hotel are fully booked now. In the past, reservations might occur at a later time,” said Lin Xiong, vice general manager at the Yiwu Shopping Mall Hotel.

 

“The small dining rooms in our restaurant are fully booked for February 14 now. When making reservations, some young people are eager to pay the deposit, just to make sure that they will have a seat on that day,” said a coffee bar general manager.

 

Since Valentine’s Day is so popular among young people, businesspeople begin to think of some ways to attract more customers. For most Western-style restaurants, what attracts customers most is the romantic dining atmosphere. In most of these restaurants, red roses are placed on the tables, with the whole dining room lit in a dimly orange light. Melodic music comes floating from every corner of the room and couples can stay in their seats enjoying the romantic atmosphere when dining.