In southwest China's city of Chengdu, the night economy is expanding beyond food, bars and cinemas. After sunset, cycling, climbing and other sports are drawing people, including overseas visitors, into longer, experience-led evenings this summer.

 

As evening settles over Chengdu, cyclists fill the city's parks and greenways. Night riding has become a popular way to exercise, unwind and socialize. Its growing appeal is also bringing more customers and new revenue opportunities to local bicycle businesses.

 

YI LINJUN Store Manager, Rider Bicycle Rental "With summer here, evening cyclists account for about 60% of our visitors. We now stay open 24/7 to cater to these riders."

 

Nighttime sports are not limited to the streets. Inside shopping malls, a growing range of sports businesses is attracting evening visitors and generating additional spending across dining and other services.

 

LI XUAN Cluster General Manager, Commercial Mgmt., South China CapitaLand Investment "Nighttime sports visitors make up around 20% of the mall's evening foot traffic, and the share is rising. These frequent shoppers boost sales across sports, dining and other services, with group visits driving more spending."

 

At one climbing gym inside the mall, weekday evenings now account for 60% of daily visits, even surpassing weekend nights. Surging after-work demand is also changing how the venue operates.

 

YANG ZHENCHEN Manager, Banana Climbing "We generally close at 10 p.m., with some outlets open till midnight for office workers. We offer extra coaches and evening classes, and host community events on weekday nights."

 

For regular climbers, frequent visits also translate into sustained spending beyond admission fees.

 

WU LIJUAN Intermediate Rock Climbing Instructor Chengdu Ginkgo College of Hospitality Management "I climb four to five times weekly. Climbing shoes wear quickly. I also need chalk, harnesses, belay devices, ropes and helmets for different climbs, so most of my spending is on gear."

 

The sport is attracting newcomers as well as regular climbers. Neil, a British university student visiting China for the fourth time, chose nighttime climbing for his first experience of the sport. His evening in Chengdu also comes against a very different summer backdrop back home.

 

NEIL FOSTER Visitor from the UK "I'm from the United Kingdom, where we're having a heatwave right now, so it's been really nice to come here and still be able to explore in a temperature that's not too hot. Here, I love to do sports in the evening as well. I think it's a great way to relax, especially if you can do it with your friends. It's just a really nice way to end your day."

 

As nighttime sports become part of Chengdu's summer rhythm, they are creating fresh momentum for the city's service economy. For overseas visitors, evenings like this offer a glimpse of "Cool China," and a summer experience worth coming back for.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: CGTN