Passion for sports ignites summer nights in ancient capital

XI'AN, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- After warming up, jogging and stretching, near the banks of Qujiang Pool, a renowned scenic spot in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Zhao Wenlong uploaded his exercise data to his WeChat moments.

Born in 1988, Zhao has been a regular jogger for nearly 20 years. He even founded a club 10 years ago, drawing thousands of fellow jogging enthusiasts.

"People are busy working during the day. Night running is not just an efficient use of time but also a way to rewind after an intense day of work," he said.

Against the backdrop of Xi'an's illuminated urban panorama, a growing number of people have turned to nighttime activities across the city's parks, roadways and riverbanks amid the summer's heatwave.

Zhao said that in the past, as many as 100 club members ran together near the landmarks like the Daming Palace and Qujiang Pool, but now, the group is divided into small ones with each consisting of three to five joggers.

"It's not because we have fewer joggers, but because our club members have more routes to choose from," said Zhao.

Xi'an is home to about 13 million people, more than 1,000 miniparks and greenery squares, and a greenway exceeding 1,000 km. Many of the parks and squares are equipped with fitness facilities, making them perfect destinations for exercise fans.

Zhao Wenzhe, 29, has developed a penchant for night cycling.

"Nighttime offers favorable road conditions as well as an opportunity to admire the city's night scene while staying fit is a rewarding experience," said Zhao.

As one of some 300 members of an online cycling group, Zhao habitually checks the group's "ride invitation" messages before he finishes work. "We ride together if our route is the same. In that way, the night ride is safer and more fun," he said.

It is not just night runs or rides that have gained popularity. Activities such as frisbee, flag football, land surfing and even barroom baseball have emerged as popular nighttime sports, providing individuals with diverse options to break a sweat during the nighttime.

Guo Jianjun, a professor at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, said nighttime sports have become a widespread phenomenon, with an increasing number of young adults engaging in nocturnal physical activities.

This trend not only bolsters the physical well-being of young people amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life but also forges an innovative avenue for social networking, Guo emphasized.

Figures show that the revenue in the cultural, sports and entertainment sectors in Xi'an saw a remarkable 15 percent surge in the first half of this year.

The infusion of sports has not only invigorated the nighttime economy but also broadened leisure options for residents and tourists alike.

According to Yang Jianshe, dean of the School of Sports and Leisure at Xi'an Physical Education University, engaging in nighttime sports and activities not only fuels advancements in sports equipment and services industries but also weaves sports into the realms of dining, culture, entertainment, and tourism. This interconnection contributes to the flourishing expansion of the nighttime economy.