Once a busy road linking Shanghai and Hangzhou, the Wengjin Line on the famous Qiantang River in Haining City of east China's Zhejiang Province -- home to the world's largest tidal bore -- is now transforming from a transport artery into a greenway for leisure and fitness. Running parallel to the Qiantang River, it has become a popular route for locals to cycle, run and watch the spectacular tides.
When the famous Qiantang tidal bore rolls in, riders will race to chase the waves, earning themselves a local nickname -- tide chasers.
Local cycling enthusiast Zhu Huahua said the tide's roar feels like it was beckoning.
"Many people call us tide chasers. Chasing and riding the tide have become a part of our life and have shaped the character of us Haining people," he said.
As the Wengjin Line continues its shift from concrete road to riverside playground, the cyclists who chase the tides are giving this once-ordinary highway a new pulse and purpose -- one that moves with the waves.
Also known as the "Silver Dragon," the Qiantang River Tide occurs at the Qiantang River mouth, where 10-meter tides are compressed and waves of up to some seven meters wash up the river at speeds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour, creating spectacular views.
Every year, there are about 120 days to watch or chase Qiantang River tidal waves, with the largest occurring on the 18th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar.
Cyclists chase world's largest tidal bore on Qiantang River
Emergency measures are being put in place to help urban areas across China cope with sweltering daytime temperatures as a severe heatwave grips multiple regions of the country, with local community rest stations being set up to shield residents and provide much-needed respite to outdoor workers amid the scorching weather.
Large swathes of the country are baking as the summer heat takes hold. According to the Central Meteorological Observatory of China, eight of the top ten hottest areas nationwide on Wednesday were in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where Turpan and Toksun both recorded temperatures above 44.5 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat is unlikely to let up anytime soon, as Hami Meteorological Station has issued a red alert and is forecasting that temperatures in Hami City will exceed 40 degrees Celsius from Wednesday to Sunday.
In an effort to combat the heatwave, the local sanitation department has deployed multiple sprinkler and spray trucks to cover major roads in downtown Hami to help with dust suppression and road surface cooling, while upping the frequency of operations.
Persistent high temperatures have also affected many areas in the southwestern Sichuan Province, with some weather stations recording maximum highs exceeding 42 degrees Celsius and weather alerts being issued in numerous cities.
In Guang'an City, the mercury had already soared to 38 degrees Celsius by 10:00 Wednesday morning, pointing to a long, hot day ahead.
However, the county has opened nearly 350 'rest stations' to help local people escape the heat. These air-conditioned cooling points, equipped with fans, drinking water, emergency medicines, and seating, provide much-needed rest areas for outdoor workers such as delivery drivers and couriers, as well as to the elderly and other passersby.
"This round of high temperatures is characterized by its long duration, high temperatures, and the oppressive, muggy conditions, impacting outdoor workers and the elderly the most," said Yu Jilin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group at the Wusheng County Federation of Trade Unions.
In the neighboring Chongqing Municipality, a red alert for high temperatures was issued on the same day.
At the exit of a busy highway in Wuxi County, heat waves shimmered on the road surface amid heavy traffic. Police officers on duty were busy checking vehicles under the scorching sun, focusing on any potential safety hazards in passenger and freight vehicles, while enduring the sizzling weather themselves.
"The main issue is the high temperature -- surface temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Whenever we are on duty, the exhaust from passing fuel-powered vehicles feels scorching hot against our bodies," said Lin Xianyong, an auxiliary police officer.
Air-conditioned "rest stations" set up to provide respite as scorching heatwave grips China
