Summer nights in Kunming, let's keep moving
"Night economy" is a Chinese way to make the night lively and dynamic. Since its birth, the new economic pattern, which aims to increase domestic demand and spur consumption in China, has gained popularity nationwide amid the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.
Therefore, Yunnan province has released a policy to promote night economy in April this year. From now on, we will have some special reports on the new phenomenon of night economy. Today, let's take a look at some night sports in Yunnan.
Fencing
Fencing is a special sport. About 2,000 fencers play the game in 10 fencing centers in Yunnan. At night, the combative nature of fencing is appealing to office workers, teenagers and the mid-aged. they come to the fencing centers for a change, and at times the retirees with a pension also join in the sport.
At the Henglong Plaza fencing center, more classes are offered in the evening as per the customer’s schedule. The center focuses on personalized services, taking into account the hobbies and physical conditions of the consumers of different age groups. Meanwhile, tips are given to the fencers so that they can have a relaxing time at the plaza.
The cause of public fitness calls for participation from all walks of life. In the future, Henglong Plaza will join hands with various brands and businesses for more experiencing activities and fitness programs.
Racing in karts
Members of the karting clubs in Kunming are 20 to 45 years old. Some are born to be karting enthusiasts, others are invited in by vivid karting scenes in films. The 52-second karting club at Grand Joy City features interchangeable tracks, make the race more exciting.
For safety, karters are not allowed to drink before karting, and they have to wear helmets and other protective kits, all provided by the club for free. “Our staff members, who are trained seasonally in fire and other emergencies, often remind the karters of safety tips,” said Ye Zhenwei, director of the karting club.
As more businesses near the club reopened, 70% of the karters have returned to the race, a lot of whom come to club at night. Sometimes, the club remains open until the early hours in the morning. The club also held games, events and trainings to make the karters stay longer.
Boxing
Members of the Kunming Taige boxing club range from 18 to 40 years old. Busy with work in the day, half of the boxers exercise at around 8:00 in the evening. At the request of some parents, the club also opened a training course for children at the age of 4 to 12.
“Here, sports facilities are share by all, and the training courses are offered to members for free. During exercise, they have warm chats, encouraging each other,” said Zhong Zhipeng, the club manager.
Zhong added that in recent years the Thai-style boxing clubs are also quite visible in Kunming.
Horse riding
“At summer night, the horse-riding court at the attic is cool, inviting in many equestrians,” said Wu Mengjiao, head of the Tianmaxingkong/pegasus international equestrian center in Kunming. On weekdays, 40 percent of the riders visit the attic center in the evening.
Founded in 2016, the center has functioned as a good place for those favoring the equestrian culture. For the spring city, the equestrian center means something innovative and trail-blazing, another way to boost urban consumption.
Gaining popularity among local folks, the center plans to promote equestrianism through experience. To this end, it has set up a museum that popularizes equestrian knowledge through holographic projectors, Chinese-English screens, and other experiencing activities.
By Li Zha, Han Chengyuan, Li Wenjun and Yang Xiwen (Yunnan Daily); trans-editing by Wang Shixue and Yuan Yingcen