?With summer heat lingering by day, residents and overseas tourists in Chengdu City, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, are taking to cycling and climbing after sunset, turning the city's nights into a time for longer and more engaging outdoor pursuits.

As evening settles over the city, cyclists flock to parks and greenways, where night riding has emerged as a popular outlet for exercise, relaxation, and social interaction. The growing enthusiasm is also proving a boon for local bicycle businesses, drawing in more customers and opening new revenue streams.

"With the arrival of summer, night-riding customers now account for an increasing share of our store's clientele -- roughly 60 percent. To better serve this growing group of evening cyclists, we've also adjusted our business hours to 24/7 operation," said Yi Linjun, store manager of Rider Bicycle Rental.

Night sports are no longer just a street-side affair. Inside Chengdu's shopping malls, a growing number of sports facilities are drawing evening crowds while boosting foot traffic and spending across dining and retail outlets.

"At our mall, nighttime sports now account for about 20 percent of our total evening customer flow. What's more important is that the night-time economy has become a social affair -- people tend to bring their friends and family along, which unlocks significant potential for additional consumption," said Li Xuan, cluster general manager of the commercial management department of South China CapitaLand Investment.

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

"We generally close at 22:00, with some outlets extending business hours for office workers so that they can attend our classes after work," said Yang Zhenchen, manager of Banana Climbing.

Nighttime climbing is attracting newcomers and regular climbers alike. Neil, a British university student visiting China for the fourth time, chose to try it for the first time during his stay. His evening in Chengdu also offers a stark contrast to the summer weather back home.

"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," said Neil.