Chinese Life Hacks to Overcome the Summer Heat

Today marks the middle of the “sanfu days (三伏天),” the hottest period of the year in China, usually lasting about 30 to 40 days between mid-July and late August. It’s not just about the heat—it’s also when humidity is at its peak.


From hugging a winter melon to mung bean soup refreshers, here are some Chinese life hacks to overcome summer heat—simple, smart, and rooted in centuries of coping with summer’s worst.