Editor's Note

The summer heat is upon us in full force, and people across the nation are coping in cool and creative ways. Meteorology authorities have issued red alerts warning of 40 C temperatures in Shanghai, Chongqing and Central China's Hubei Province. Many other areas have issued orange-level temperature alerts. It is estimated that more than 700 million people have been affected by the ongoing heat wave, according to chinanews.com.

Women play mahjong seated in knee-deep water at a water park in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. Photo: IC

 

Shaolin monks in Dengfeng, Central China's Henan Province balance bowls of water on their heads in a challenging exercise on Thursday. Photo: IC

 

A panda lays on a block of ice on Wednesday at the Ningbo Zoo, Zhejiang Province. The Zoo's panda habitat is equipped with air conditioners that keep temperatures at around 26 C. Photo: CFP

 

A monkey enjoys a popsicle at the Zhengzhou Zoo, Central China's Henan Province. Photo: CFP

 

A child holds a chick next to a basket of unhatched eggs left to incubate on the hot asphalt in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, where road surface temperatures hit as high as 50 C. Photo: IC