Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

 Following the recent popularity and viral success of the city of Zibo in East China's Shandong Province sparked by its sizzling barbecue, now another Chinese city has taken the social media spotlight - Tianjin - thanks to the daring diving practices of its senior citizens into the Haihe River. 

Videos circulating on social media showcase local elderly people, known as "Tianjin diving grandpas," donning swim trunks, executing well-coordinated diving routines, and performing solo, duo, and trio dives. Some even incorporate synchronized moves, making a very small splash upon entry. 

They are all amateur divers who have been diving on Shizilin Bridge for years, but all of a sudden have recently been put under the spotlight when more and more people share video of them on social media.

The water acrobatics performed by these uncle and grandpas have attracted a considerable influx of visitors, including foreign tourists, to watch or even join the activity. 

The diving performances at Haihe River's Shizilin Bridge and Beian Bridge have turned these locations into trending destinations. 

Hundreds of people would lean on the railings to watch they dive, and these grandpas, embodying Tianjin city's another signature entertainment - xiangsheng, or crosstalk comedian shows - would make a funny speech to the audience before the plunge.

In a year marked by renewed enthusiasm for outdoor experiences, China's urban landscapes have transformed into vibrant hubs of social engagement. 

From daring bridge dives to bustling music festivals, the country is embracing a lifestyle that blends entertainment, participation, and positivity, driving economic growth and reflecting the nation's zest for the ever-improving life.

The fervor for outdoor activities has surged nationwide this summer. 

A diverse array of events has been organized across the country. In Shanghai, China's cosmopolitan epicenter, a "life on the street" festival held from August 3 to 13 has encapsulated this trend with over 200 activities spanning exhibitions, outdoor markets, gourmet experiences, and street lamp concerts. 

The festival, which melds music with urban vibrancy, attracted over 200,000 citizens and tourists to participate, according to media reports.

Key highlights of the festival included a terrace concert hosted at the century-old Wing On Department Store and six street lamp concerts at the Huangpu soccer stadium. 

According to media reports, nearly 100,000 visitors were captivated by these musical melodies dispersed throughout the city.

Following Shanghai's musical feast, on Saturday evening, the inaugural Open Mic music concert simultaneously took place at four Wanda Plazas in different cities: Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing. At the Beijing event at the Solana Shopping Park, crowds gathered to enjoy the music. 

The rules allowed anyone to take the stage, which turned many spectators into unexpected performers who could show off their talents.

Traveling to Tianjin to witness the grandpas' diving in action, a visitor from Beijing shared her experience with the Global Times, "It was around 3 pm when a large number of grandpas had already formed queues, preparing for their dives." 

"Some of the grandpas would greet everyone before their dives, welcoming visitors to Tianjin." 

Huang added that she was captivated by the energy of the scene.

The surge in attendance for outdoor activities, concerts, and music festivals across the country has resulted in sold-out events and heightened demand for tickets. 

In the first half of 2023, live entertainment in China experienced a remarkable revival. 

Business-driven performances, excluding venue shows, surged more than 400 percent, totaling 193,300 events, with a total of 62.24 million people watching the shows, a tenfold increase, according to data from the China Association of Performing Arts.

Concurrently, experiential consumption within urban commerce has gained tremendous traction. 

The penchant for participatory activities not only underscores a fervent appreciation for life but also lays the foundation for China's sustained growth and economic upswing. 

However, ensuring safety, effectively managing the sudden surge in viral attention, maintaining urban vitality, and showcasing the city's openness poses challenges for city administrators.

Back in Tianjin, the outdoor activity of bridge diving could potentially pose a safety threat for participants, and municipal administrators have to carefully balance public security and the benefits brought by the "sudden fame" to the city's tourism and catering businesses. 

Tianjin authorities have taken action trying to maintain safety for the participants and tourists, such as organizing patrols, and utilizing both riverside and watercraft-based checks.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn