A torrent of activity

At night, the banks of the Asian Games river become a bustling social hub

During the day, the riverbank along the Asian Games river is a tranquil and inviting spot. However, as night falls, it transforms into a bustling hub where fairs, performances and pin exchanges bring together residents of the Hangzhou Asian Games Village to partake in the festivities of the Asiad.

For Saudi Arabian table tennis player Turki Almutairi, his nights in the village usually start with pin exchanges and shopping, before he has to get his exercise in.

Being able to grace the stage of the Hangzhou Asian Games alongside some of Asia's finest table tennis players has filled him with great joy.

Hong Kong rower Lam San-tung likes to wander around in the souvenir shop. "Before the competition, our focus was primarily on activities within our rooms — watching matches, reviewing training videos, analyzing opponents, and fine-tuning our tactics as part of our pregame preparations. With the competition now concluded, we can finally take a moment to relax and unwind," he said.

The 25-year-old Lam won the men's pair rowing title on Sept 24.When he went shopping, he took his gold medal with him in order to find a proper bag for it.

As soon as the gold medal made its appearance, it instantly drew a crowd of nearby athletes. Some requested photos, others asked for autographs, and a few even borrowed it to feel the heft of the substantial prize.

"I'm all set for this. Once I return home, I'll be keeping the gold medal with me for a week, becoming a 'model' for my relatives and friends, posing for photos as a memento," he said.

The Hangzhou Games are Lam's second appearance in the continental gala. Five years ago, he won a bronze medal in the men's lightweight coxed eight event in Jakarta. Lam expressed that Hangzhou holds a special place in his heart, and the Asian Games Village has truly been his "lucky village".With the gold medal, he rated both his own and his teammates' performances as a perfect score.

Chinese fencer Zhang Xinyi said she visits the LOHAS Fair in the village each day. "The market boasts a wide variety of stalls, each of which piques my interest. Moreover, there are numerous interactive games, making it a place I can explore daily without ever growing weary," she said.

The fair's interactive games feature a selection of traditional Chinese sports and entertainment activities, including shuttlecock, cuju (a form of football), and pot-throwing, among others.

Esports competitor Ghaleb Fatayer from Palestine chooses to indulge himself in a massage session in the relaxation area. He shared that this was his first experience of a fascia gun massage and he found it exceptionally soothing.

"I've tried the massage chairs, and they are incredibly relaxing. Lying back, watching the live broadcasts of the games, it's a form of pure enjoyment," he said.