Waterways proving cool summer getaway

Urbanites are turning to outdoor water-related activities for relief this summer. In Beijing, paddleboarding on Liangma River has quickly emerged as one of the most popular ways to cool off, stay fit and socialize.

Among the regulars on the waterway is Zhang Yanwu, who lives nearby and heads to the riverbank several times a week with his own paddleboard. "It's refreshing and cool in the summertime," he said while inflating his board on the riverbank.

"There are definitely more people here now. This used to be a forgotten corner," said Zhang. "It's clean and beautiful and now a summer hot spot."

Much of the river's revival is due to environmental upgrades. Since 2019, Beijing's Chaoyang district has implemented large-scale dredging, ecological restoration and infrastructure improvements, transforming the 9.3-kilometer waterway into a popular scenic destination.

Alan, a 30-year-old British teacher at an international school in Chaoyang, now paddleboards on the river every week. "I started last summer when my friend bought a second-hand board," he said. "We come here to cool down, play around and stay fit. It's a great way to unwind."

Reasonable rental prices have also boosted participation. Local vendors offer rental services for about 150 yuan ($21), often with no strict time limit.

Wu Gaofeng, an individual vendor, has been renting out boards and kayaks along the river for three years. "This is our busiest summer yet," he said. Wu rents out more than a dozen boards daily, with weekend demand even higher and customers lining up.

His boards are sourced from Weifang in East China's Shandong province — part of a paddleboard production cluster that is responding to surging demand for water-related gear.

According to an October 2024 report by the General Administration of Sport of China, over 1 million consumers nationwide engage in paddleboarding and surfing activities, with the market exceeding one billion yuan in value.

Weihai, another coastal city in Shandong, has emerged as China's largest paddleboard production hub. "Weihai-made paddleboards account for over 70 percent of the domestic market and over half of the global supply," said Li Wenming of the local yacht industry association, according to a local news report. "What started as a niche sport is now a lifestyle trend."

Tourus Outdoor Products Co, a major paddleboard manufacturer based in Weihai, has ramped up production to meet soaring domestic and international demand. The factory produced approximately 60,000 paddleboards in the first half of 2025, up from a total of 100,000 in the whole of last year.

"The sport really took off after outdoor activities surged in 2023," said Li Zhen, operations director at the company. "In the past three years, our paddleboard business alone has seen a compound annual growth rate of about 30 percent, with roughly 20 percent growth in the Chinese market and 10 percent overseas."

Exports now make up more than 80 percent of Tourus' revenue, with clients in over 60 regions, including Europe, North America and Russia. "This summer's paddleboarding boom may just be the beginning," Li added. "Its accessibility, versatility and social nature appeal to a wide demographic."

China's competitive edge in global paddleboard manufacturing lies in its complete industrial supply chain, innovation in materials and design, and efficient e-commerce channels. "We expect China to play a bigger role in the global paddleboarding scene in the years to come," she said.

Even companies focused on other watercraft are tapping into the growing paddleboarding trend. Jin Yin, vice-president of Hangzhou Sino-Eagle Holding Group Co Ltd, said paddleboards now account for 15 percent of their product line.

"The sport is mature and popular overseas, and we see strong potential in China as well," Jin said. "We've developed beginner-friendly racing boards for the domestic market. As more people are getting involved, we're actively developing new paddleboard products to meet rising demand."

Yang Cheng in Beijing contributed to this story.