As temperatures soar above 40°C, Chinese cities open air-raid shelters, expand metro cooling zones, and boost night markets to fight the summer heatwave.
A severe heatwave is gripping parts of China as temperatures soar past 38°C (100°F) in many regions. On July 2, large areas of the Yangtze River Delta issued high-temperature alerts.
Public Shelters, Night Markets, and Outdoor Movies
To cope with the heat, cities are rolling out a range of cooling measures.
In Hangzhou, authorities have opened six air-raid shelters as free public cooling stations. These spaces remain open on weekends and offer not just a place to cool down, but also areas for reading, movies, and sports.
Chongqing, which continues to experience scorching weather, has activated 40 underground cooling sites across 10 districts. These civil defense shelters are free and open to all residents.
In Nanchang, metro stations have become popular spots to escape the heat. The local subway system has set up cooling zones at 40 stations. At the Zhujian Road station, children were seen reading quietly in a dedicated cool corner.
Elsewhere, creative cooling options are gaining popularity. In Ganzhou, an indoor ski center draws large crowds seeking relief from the heat. And in Guangzhou, kayaking and paddleboarding are booming on rivers and lakes. Moreover Huadian, Jilin Province, a night market called “Carnival of Joy” opened to strong demand. It has helped boost nearby business revenue by more than 50%, according to local officials.
Evenings bring a wave of nighttime activity. On July 5, crowds gathered along the riverbanks of Wuhan’s Hankou area to enjoy cool breezes, outdoor movies, and night market snacks.
Cities Combine Culture, Leisure, and Innovation
Some cities are combining cooling with culture and design. For instance, in Hangzhou, the largest shelter at Sipailou offers 400 seats and includes a shared library and table tennis zone. Besides, in Chengdu, a swimming pool decorated with a giant replica of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night draws swimmers and selfie-takers alike.
This summer’s extreme heat is fueling what many call a “cooling economy.” Cities across China are adapting fast—offering new public services, revitalizing leisure spots, and expanding night-time activities to help residents stay cool and comfortable.
If you like this article why not read: Drink Milk at Milk Lake? Inner Mongolia’s Summer Surprise
