That’s no reason to let the oppressive heat keep you from enjoying what’s wonderful about summer. Here are eight of our top Taobao finds to keep you cool as the temperature rises, even without the help of a pool or AC.

Shirt Cool Spray (衣服降温喷雾)
Is it hot enough yet to make you want to peel off your sweaty duds, all the way down to your birthday suit? Save yourself the effort with Shirt Cool, a Japanese spray mist available in various aromas (doubling as deodorant) and designed to quickly cool you off and quell that “just out of the shower look” that’s all too familiar come July and August. RMB 28.8-35.8.

Get it here.

Cooling Gel Patch (清凉贴)
These cooling gel patches serve a similar function as the spray above, except you stick them to your skin. Made of soft and comfortable material, the patches are also said to relieve stress and fatigue. Bonus function: You can also stick them to your phone or computer if they tend to overheat. RMB 39 for a pack of 20.

Get it here.

Water-Cooling Gel Mattress Pad (水冷床垫)
Cooling doesn’t need to stop once you’ve gone to bed as this multi-functional mattress pad proves. Add cold water to the container, plug in the accompanying fan, and voila, the water is pumped through keeping you sweat-free throughout the night. You can set a timer so it turns off automatically once you’re sound asleep. RMB 288-498.

Get it here.

Bamboo Mattress Cover (冰丝凉席)
Save yourself from waking up damp and clammy with this more natural means to stay cool at night: a nifty bamboo mattress cover set. Thin and easy to wipe clean, the set also comes with two pillow covers. Make sure to choose the right size according to your bed so that the cover won’t pull loose. RMB 129.9-289.9.

Get it here.

Cooling Sports Towel (运动冷感巾)
Lightweight and absorbent, this towel is good for both gym bunnies after a workout or just to throw in your bag if you’re likely to trekking across town. They only take a short time to dry and, better still, remains cold for hours after a quick soak in ice water. Wrap around your wrists, neck, or use it as a bandana to escape the heat. RMB 13.8.

Get it here.

Cooling Wrist Pad/Pillow (降温枕头)
Soft and cold thanks to their inner gel stuffing, these computer wrist pads are a great way to stay cool at your desk. You can also stick them in the fridge after each day so that you have something cool to latch onto as soon as you reach the office. They also double as a cooling pillow should you need to take a siesta on a sweltering afternoon. RMB 38.

Get it here.

Portable Air Conditioner (迷你小空调)
If your apartment is small and you don’t want to invest in a full-on air conditioner, this mini AC makes for a decent alternative. Portable and sturdy, it has three levels of cooling and also works to boost humidity in dry climates for better air ventilation such as is needed in Beijing. It also requires little cleaning. RMB 356-396.

Get it here.

Cooling Wet Wipes (提神降温湿巾)
Finally, these peppermint scented wet wipes make for a quick icy fix whenever you’re feeling hot and sticky. They come in an easy-to-extract and resealable dispenser, keeping them fresh even when you aren’t. RMB 49 for a pack of 50.

Get it here.

Heading to the pool? Check out these cool Taobao buys here.

Photos: Bustle, Taobao

If the extra use of deodorant, antiperspirant, and sunscreen isn’t a clear indication that the summer temperatures are here then the constant craving for something cold should be the most telling marker that our bodies need extra help to cool down.

Shops and supermarkets are filled with different varieties of ice creams and popsicles that can be quite challenging on your tastebuds. Here are some easy do-it-yourself popsicle recipes from allrecipes.com that you can make at home and enjoy throughout Beijing’s warmer months.

Monkey Tails

Ingredients

• 10 ice pop sticks
• 5 very ripe bananas, peeled, and halved crosswise
• 1 (16 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 10 tablespoons flaked coconut, or as needed

Directions
Insert 1 pop stick into the cut end of each banana. Place the bananas on a wax paper covered baking sheet and freeze until the bananas are frozen, about 2 hours.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave).

Dip the frozen bananas in the melted chocolate, spooning the chocolate over the banana to cover it completely. Roll in coconut if desired. Place the dipped bananas on the wax paper-covered baking sheet, and freeze until the chocolate is firm.

Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Ice Pops

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and sliced bananas, mixed
• 2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 8 small paper cups
• 8 popsicle sticks

Directions
Place the mixed blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, yogurt, and sugar into a blender. Cover, and blend until fruit is chunky or smooth, as desired.

Fill paper cups 3/4 full with fruit mixture. Cover the top of each cup with a strip of aluminum foil. Poke a popsicle stick through the center of the foil on each cup.

Place the cups in the freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, remove foil and peel off the paper cup.

Yummy Watermelon Pops

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Directions
Place the watermelon, lemon juice, sugar, and raspberries into a blender, and blend on High speed until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into ice pop molds, and insert sticks or handles. Freeze until firm, several hours or overnight.

READ: Would We Lychee to You? Five Summery Fruits Now in Season

This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Photo: pinimg.com

Beijing continues to be battered by gale-force winds, which since Sunday have uprooted trees, knocked down walls, and caused four fatalities across the city, as reported by The Paper.

Outer areas of the city including Tongzhou, Yanqing, Changping, Huairou, and Shunyi were hit with winds reaching 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale (32-46mph). Other areas reported winds as high as 10 (55-63mph).

A tree uprooted from its base by yesterday’s gale-force winds

The four deaths occurred as the result of two separate incidents on Sunday. Three people were killed near Dongzhimen Bridge in downtown Beijing after being struck by an uprooted tree. Two of those struck died at the scene, while the third succumbed to their injuries while being treated in hospital.

In the second incident, a waimai driver died after being struck by a tree at Baizhifang Xijie in Xicheng District. The man was later confirmed to have been working for the food delivery platform Meituan.

The strong winds also caused havoc to Beijing transport, grounding 51 outbound flights at Beijing Capital International Airport and delaying the arrival of at least two trains.

Members of the public are advised to stay indoors when possible

All kindergartens and middle schools across the city have suspended outdoor activities, including flag-raising and morning exercises, as per a warning announced by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission on Weibo this morning.

The strong winds aren’t forecasted to abate until late this evening, according to the weather broadcasting website Weather China.

Members of the public are advised to keep outdoor activities to a minimum and to avoid walking underneath hanging signs, large trees, and temporary construction or scaffolding. People are also advised to avoid walking down narrow alleyways in the event that you need to evade falling objects. Additionally, forest fires warnings remain in place in Beijing and outlying areas, with winds and dry weather exacerbating the risk of fires.

Beijing will also see temperatures rise in the wake of the windy weather, with highs of 35 degrees Celcius predicted from Wednesday through to Saturday.

Photos: IC via China Daily,163.com, Weather China

1. Paralyzed Chinese Gymnast Welcomes Baby Boy
During the 1998 Goodwill Games in the US, rising Chinese gymnast Sang Lan (桑兰) shocked the country when she fell during a vault routine and became paralyzed from the waist down. Confined to a wheelchair ever since, she made the news again recently after giving birth to a healthy baby boy on April 14. Congratulations, Sang Lan! (Perhaps you’d like to submit his photo and details to our New Arrivals column?)

2. NLGX Food Stalls Shut Over Public Health Concerns
Perenially-crowded Nanluoguxiang (NLGX) has tons of little snack stalls with lines snaking out the door. We weren’t too surprised to find out that they were recently shut down over hygiene concerns. The reason? Too much garbage littering the streets. According to official figures, the number of food stalls has been reduced from 80 to 22. The extra space will be taken up by more “eco-friendly” shops.

3. One Hundred Doraemons to Descend on Beijing
From April 19 to June 22, 100 Doraemons will descend on Joy City Chaoyang. In case you’ve never heard of him, Doraemon is a cult figure from a Japanese animated series of the same name; he’s a blue robot cat from the future who can pull out fantastical tools from the pouch on his belly. Each of the 100 Doraemons in Beijing will have such a tool, including the “dream-come-true machine,” “door-to-any-destination,” “bamboo copter,” and time machine.
 

Chinese Social Media Roundup is a regular column that spotlights hot stories in the local media that may be of interest to expat families. It is written by Morgan Shang, beijingkids editorial assistant and born-and-bred Beijinger.

Photos: sohu.com, bj.people.com.cn

As Christmas season approaches, weary high school students eagerly anticipate winter break. During these few weeks, they are granted liberty from the burdens of academic studies, and only one question remains: where is the best place to enjoy this freedom?

Escaping the Cold
After enduring the freezing cold Beijing weather for an extended period of time, you’re likely to desire staying in the warmth of your bed all day long. In subzero temperature, who wants to be outside? However, this problem can be easily resolved if you escape to warmer locations, such as:

1.Hawaii
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the perfect tropical island to visit in winter. In Hawaii, you can explore a unique local culture while also relaxing and enjoying the scenic beaches. However, make sure you book your tickets and hotels early, as space on Hawaii’s popular resorts fills up quickly!

2.Dubai
Take your time to explore one of the most magnificent cities of the Middle East. With a temperature that hardly drops below 30° C, Dubai will definitely relieve you of Beijing’s chilly weather. While the cityscape is lined with skyscrapers and modern architecture, splashes of its historical and traditional culture provide a contrast to the urban appearance. There is plenty to do in Dubai, from visiting local marketplaces to exploring the desert, and if you ever start yearning for winter, visit the indoor ski center!

3.Hainan
Want to remain in China, but still enjoy a warm climate? If so, then Hainan is the place for you! Spend your time having a perfect seaside holiday, drinking coconuts, relaxing on the beach and watching the waves as they hit the shorelines. Don’t forget to drop by the butterfly valley in Yalong Bay to examine the rare and precious butterflies of China. This winter, take the opportunity to visit this nearer, yet equally relaxing getaway from the cold.

4.Hong Kong
As one of the world’s financial centers, Hong Kong definitely cannot be left out from this list. With warm weather year round, Hong Kong is an ideal location for escaping the cold. In this city, you can attend numerous festivals, enjoy scrumptious dim sum and shop your heart out in the countless high-end malls.

Embracing the Cold
As winter settles in, many begin to long for snow. However, Beijing is dreadfully dry and snow seldom frequents the city. But what is Christmas without snow? Here are some possible places where you can find your perfect Winter Wonderland:

1.London
As the capital of the UK, London will be lit up with Christmas spirit during the winter season, and you will be lost within the joy of the holiday season amongst the bright lights and joyous carols.  Most importantly, snow often blankets London in the winter, creating a beautiful Christmas cityscape. From ancient squares to modern metropolis, the city will be filled with romanticism. While you are there, make sure to visit the Big Ben or take a ride on the London Eye to experience the magical view from miles above the ground.

2.Finland
Finland is truly a paradise of snow during winter. At night, you can observe the colorful mystery of the northern lights while enjoying the beautiful frost covering the country. There are also plenty of opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snowman building. Moreover, Finland is just the place for you if you love exploring new places.

3.Montreal
If you are looking for some holiday spirit, Montreal has it! In Montreal, winter is to be spent outside in the open skating, hiking and sliding. Many parks are open to visitors, providing opportunities for romantic and elegant walks along a snow-covered landscape. There are also many holiday festivals during this time of the year, allowing you to fully experience the Christmas season.

4.Harbin
Want to go somewhere close to Beijing? Well, Harbin has always been the winter wonderland of China. Imagine yourself walking by shimmering, glowing ice figures of all shapes and sizes. These sculptures are Harbin’s specialty, proudly displayed in its seasonal Ice and Snow Culture Festival. You can not only admire ice carvings, but also walk inside some of them, and even slide down an ice slide! Don’t neglect to include this unique festival in your holiday plan!

With these eight locations in mind or as a starting point, you can easily start planning your well-deserved winter vacation—UNIT-E wishes you the best in your few weeks of freedom!

This article originally appeared in the November/December issue of UNIT-E. It was written by Rosalind Chang, a student at the International School of Beijing.

About UNIT-E
UNIT-E was founded in the spring of 2010 with the aim of establishing a non-profit, student-run magazine for international students in Beijing. Staffed by current students from a range of international schools, the magazine provides an amalgam of cultural tidbits, fragments of Beijing student life, and a broad spectrum of unique perspectives from a diverse group of young adults.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia commons, rincewind42 and tatumszymczak (Flickr)