Chinese turn to 'facekinis' to protect themselves from swealtering heat
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00:00 Once only seen on hikes throughout the beach, sunshield clothing can now also be spotted
00:05 in the city centre.
00:07 UV protection sleeves, jackets and face coverings known as 'facekinis' are all the rage as
00:13 Beijingers try to protect themselves from the sweltering heat.
00:17 "The ice cream I put on my skin just now felt very cold.
00:22 I was so happy I bought two of them."
00:26 E-commerce sales for these types of clothes more than tripled this year according to one
00:31 Chinese data analysis platform.
00:33 And the trend is also trickling down to offline resellers.
00:37 "Wearing a face covering, sun protection sleeves, wind protection sleeves, and face coverings
00:46 like this.
00:47 You can take them off."
00:52 For a new fashion must-haves, but also a new destination, the river Liangma that's just
00:57 behind me.
00:58 In recent years, Beijingers have been stopping by here to cool down.
01:02 "Because of the high temperature, everyone likes to go to the riverside to cool down.
01:08 We turn on the air conditioner and fan at home.
01:12 If it's not working, we come here twice a day.
01:14 Once in the morning."
01:16 Whilst some fight the heat with water activities, turning to air conditioning remains the default
01:22 for most, putting pressure on the country's energy grid.
01:26 In July, coal-fired power giant China Energy reported its highest daily output in history.
01:32 [BLANK_AUDIO]