As dusk falls, the Central (Zhongyang) River in SIP is sparkling with fun! Since August 30, paddleboarding has become a trendy night activity for many people.

By day, beginners learn paddleboarding skills from coaches, and when the sun is setting, people tour Jinji Lake in boat. At night, fluorescent paddleboards light up the water, creating a magical scene under the city lights.

“It’s easy to learn, and participation has increased by 30 to 40% over the previous year thanks to the paddleboarding popularization project launched last month,” said a source close to the project. The project will last till Oct 26, with paddleboarding and kayaking experiences offered on the river every weekend.

“My kid loved it! We’re definitely coming back,” said Mr. Wang, a resident in SIP.

To keep the enthusiasm for the water sport going, a parent-child paddleboarding challenge paired with a waterfront market will kick off on Sept 13.

The project has fueled consumption in the surrounding stores, cafes and restaurants.

September 7, 2025