If you were a member of the royal family in ancient China, keeping cool in summer involved relaxing in airy buildings equipped with skywells, artificial lakes, and bowls of ice placed in the room to cool the surrounding air. On the hottest of days, the Qing Dynasty emperor would even take a few consorts on holiday to the Summer Palace as a retreat from the heat of the Forbidden City.
Of course, the average modern person can’t demand skywells, artificial lakes and impromptu trips away whenever they like. So how do people stay cool in China during the summer nowadays?
Here are five ways Chinese people beat the heat that you can try on your next trip.
1. Covering up and staying in the shade
In the West, the sun only needs to emerge a minute or two for people to break out the shorts, tank tops and strappy dresses. But in East Asian countries like China and Taiwan, it’s the opposite. Rather than going out and chasing a sun tan, the locals will avoid staying out in direct sunlight for too long.
It’s not unusual to see people in China and Taiwan walking with umbrellas on a sunny day, or seeing people on motorbikes with sleeve covers to protect their hands and arms from sunburn.
One exception to this is the ‘Beijing bikini’ – where some men (typically older uncle-type figures, but not always) roll up their t-shirts to create a makeshift crop top to cool down. Despite the name, this habit isn’t just local to Beijing.
2. Eating ‘cooling’ foods
In traditional Chinese medicine, some food and drinks have the ability to make you 上火 shànghuǒ (catch heat) or 着凉 zháoliáng (catch a chill). It’s not necessarily about the temperature of the food but rather the energy it provides, and it’s all about creating a healthy balance.
On hot days, ‘cooling energy’ foods like mung beans, watermelon and cucumber are perfect for balancing the body. Sweet chilled mung bean ‘milk’, fruits, 凉茶 liángchá (cooling herbal teas) and 凉菜 liángcài (cold dishes) are popular summer refreshments. Ice can be considered too 着凉, so you might still hear the older generation warning the younger ones not to eat and drink too much ice cream and iced drinks, and choosing to drink warm water over cold.
3. Sleeping on bamboo mats
These woven mats, often placed on the mattress or even directly on the bed frame, are naturally cool to the touch and allow for better air circulation than traditional fabric bedding. The open weave prevents heat from being trapped, creating a refreshingly cool surface for a summer night’s rest. Many households will have a stack of these mats, brought out as soon as temperatures climb and stored away once autumn sets in.
4. Avoiding too-cold air conditioning
This one may seem counterintuitive, but in traditional Chinese medicine, cold wind and sudden changes in air temperature can make you sick. So while you look for shelter from the heat by popping into an air-conditioned shopping mall in China, you might find that they’ve set their air conditioning to a bit less chilly of a level than you’re expecting.
5. Carrying fans
Handheld fans have been around in China for thousands of years – and bamboo, paper and fabric fans are still fashionable today. Many people nowadays have swapped the traditional fan for a mini electric one. But you’ll still see people carrying mechanical fans to match their outfits, particularly the younger generation who are reviving hanfu.
Thinking of spending your summer in China or Taiwan? Why not book a homestay learning course with Lingoinn – not only will you get to explore your chosen cities, but you’ll also learn Mandarin in its place of origin while staying with a professional language teacher.
