Soaring temperatures in eastern China have prompted Hefei Wildlife Park in Anhui province to extend its hours, offering nighttime visits for the first time.

The zoo opened its gates to evening crowds on Aug 1 in a bid to provide relief from the scorching daytime heat and offer visitors a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal animals.

The move has proved popular, with thousands flocking to the park in its first week.

"Many animals primarily rest during the daytime in summer, but with slightly cooler temperatures at night, they tend to be more active," said Wang Huihui, a staff member at the zoo.

The nighttime tours will continue for a month, with opening hours from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm daily. The cooler evening breeze provides an opportunity for visitors to observe more active animals such as red pandas, kangaroos and hippos, Wang said.

As of Tuesday night, the nighttime opening had attracted about 4,000 paying visitors, according to the zoo.

"My son begged me for days to bring him to the zoo, but I don't think we can bear the daytime heat wave," said a visitor surnamed Zhao. "I knew from last summer's visit that most of the animals prefer to remain in air-conditioned rooms, so the night tour is a very good arrangement."

Visitors have shared their experiences on social media, praising the stage shows performed exclusively for the night tours. However, they recommend bringing a fan, as the nighttime temperature, while more bearable, can still be high.

On July 31, the Hefei Meteorological Observatory issued an orange alert for high temperatures, the second-highest level in a four-color warning system, with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 37 C. The alert remained in effect as of Thursday.

Addressing concerns about the impact of nighttime openings on the animals, Wang said the zoo has carefully selected animals that are more active at night for display and has taken measures such as dim lighting to minimize disturbances.

"For animals not suitable for nighttime display, their living areas will be closed off," Wang said.

In addition to animal displays, the zoo has partnered with a professional team from the Anhui Provincial Drama Theater to present two stage plays every night after 7:30 pm.

The park has reduced its ticket prices for the evening visits, with adult tickets costing 29.9 yuan ($4.16), compared to 35 yuan during the day.

Hefei is among several Chinese cities experiencing record-breaking temperatures this summer, with authorities issuing heat alerts. Other zoos in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong have also adopted extended hours to accommodate visitors seeking respite from the heat.

The Shanghai Wildlife Zoo, which began nighttime tours on June 1, has opened some areas for vehicle entry, allowing visitors to observe animals from their cars. The nighttime tours will continue until Oct 7.

Zhang Ling in Hefei contributed to this story.

zhulixin@chinadaily.com.cn