Locals and tourists dive into aquatic fun at a mountainous region in Lin'an district. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

As summer temperatures soar, the water economy of Hangzhou — capital of East China's Zhejiang province — is booming.

From mountain streams to city lakes, locals and tourists alike are diving right into fluid fun to beat the heat.

In the mountainous Lin'an district, popular spots like the Zhejiang Grand Canyon and Longjing Gorge have seen surging demand. "Rooms are fully booked weeks in advance," said Zheng Lifang, owner of a local guesthouse.

Activities like stream trekking, paddle boarding and riverside camping are in high demand.

Drifting at Longjing Gorge is so popular that online tickets sold out a day early. On July 19 alone, the scenic area received over 8,000 visitors, prompting early opening hours and crowd limits.

According to Xia Xin, deputy town mayor of Longgang in Lin'an district, peak daily traffic can hit 15,000. The area's tourism season runs from June to September, with water-based fun driving strong demand for lodgings and dining.

Urban lakes are also drawing crowds. At Qingshan Lake, thousands are enjoying paddle boarding, kayaking and thrilling water sports like jet surfing and wake surfing — making water the hottest ticket to being cool in Hangzhou this summer.

A boy jumps from a paddle board. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]