Locals take traditional Chinese ink painting classes at the cultural center in Shibei district in Qingdao. [Photo/WeChat account: qdsbwxj]

Last year, night school started gaining in popularity across the country.

In April of this year, the cultural center in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, launched special art classes for the public, aiming to enrich their daily lives.

The current night school education model is more akin to a lifestyle, offering subjects ranging from intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship to singing and dancing, from AI learning to video editing, from pastry making to calligraphy and painting. Today's night schools are more like outlets for people to learn new hobbies, aiding in self-improvement and providing opportunities for leisure, entertainment, and social interaction.

Apart from the rich course variety, the relaxed atmosphere has also helped night schools gain in popularity.

Dong Ting, director of the cultural center in Shinan district, Qingdao, believes that for young people, the learning objectives in night schools have become less important.

"The most important thing is being able to set aside your phone at a specific time, fully immerse yourself in learning, and enjoy the sense of satisfaction that culture brings," Dong said.

Currently in Qingdao, the night school courses offered by public cultural institutions are purely for the benefit of the public and do not charge any fees.