China is baking under a widespread heatwave, with major cities like Shanghai and Harbin experiencing unusually high and persistent temperatures.
While the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China braces for prolonged scorching heat, parts of northeast China—including Harbin—are also facing record-breaking warmth for this time of the year.
Shanghai on Saturday issued its first orange high temperature alert of the year, as the mercury soared above 38 degrees Celsius in multiple districts. Influenced by the intensifying subtropical high, the city has officially entered a "sunny, hot, and dry" phase, breaking several heat records already this summer.
"It's really too hot today. I went out early, but I'm already soaked in sweat. I need to get my child back home as soon as possible," said a local.
"It's too hot for the kids. I'm sweating all over after taking the kids out for a while. Even with a fan, it doesn't help much. We have to hurry home," said another local.
In response, Shanghai Disneyland has upgraded its heat mitigation measures. The park has added cooling stations and misting fans, and has adjusted operations by suspending certain outdoor attractions and scaling down performances according to real-time temperatures.
"It's better now. Not too hot to play. I'm still willing to stay for more fun despite the heat," said a tourist.
According to the city's meteorological department, Shanghai is expected to officially exit the plum rain season on June 29. Over the next 10 days, sunny and hot weather will dominate, with peak temperatures reaching 39 to 40 degrees Celsius in early July.
Meanwhile in northeast China's Heilongjiang, the typically cooler province is also facing unusually high heat. Cities such as Qiqihar, Harbin and Mudanjiang as well as the Daxing'anling mountainous region have all recorded highs exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above historical averages.
"We usually don't need air conditioning, but this year it's a must. I wear sun-protective clothing every time I go out. I can't handle it otherwise," said a local named Chu Xiaoli.
"It's much hotter than previous years. I have to run a fan all night, and can't sleep without it," said another local named Wang Bo.
Local meteorological department predicts that there will be some relief next week, with two rounds of rainfall in Heilongjiang to help ease the extreme heat.
China swelters as heatwave grips both north, south
