As intense summer heat grips parts of China, one residential neighbourhood has come up with an unusual way to stay cool.
In Yuncheng, a city in northern China’s Shanxi Province, high-rise apartment buildings are fitted with rooftop misting systems that spray a fine mist of water into the air, helping lower temperatures and offering residents relief from the blazing heat.
Videos of the system have gone viral on social media, showing thick clouds of mist drifting down from rooftops and cooling the streets and walkways below.
The eye-catching scenes have drawn global attention as cities look for new ways to cope with rising temperatures, and bring renewed focus on how urban planning must change in the face of climate change.
#Shanxi5 8 pic.twitter.com/jkacrlqmQt— Madhurendra kumar (@Madhurendra13) July 1, 2026
The cooling system uses a well-known scientific principle called evaporative cooling.
In this case, high-pressure nozzles installed on rooftops spray extremely fine droplets of water into the air. As the droplets evaporate, they absorb heat from the surrounding air, cooling it in the same way sweat cools the human body.
According to Chinese media reports, the system can reduce local air and surface temperatures by around 5°C to 8°C within minutes when outdoor temperatures are close to 38°C.
Because the droplets are minuscule, they evaporate quickly under hot, relatively dry conditions, meaning the cooling effect is achieved without leaving roads or pedestrians drenched.
The system also consumes far less electricity than conventional air conditioning because it mainly requires water, pumps and high-pressure nozzles.
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Similar outdoor misting systems are already used in several Chinese cities at parks, public squares, pedestrian streets and bus stops during peak summer months.
Thousands die in Europe’s heatwaves while brainless leaders BAN A/C when it’s 40°C.This mist cooling system cuts temperatures by 5 to 8°C.European politicians do EVERYTHING against their own people. pic.twitter.com/D9eEkuVHBA— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) July 1, 2026
China has witnessed more frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves in recent years, a trend scientists link to climate change.
Another factor is the urban heat island effect, where buildings, roads and concrete absorb and retain heat, making cities significantly warmer than nearby rural areas.
These conditions can make life especially difficult for people living in densely populated apartment complexes, particularly those without adequate cooling.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the project as an example of efforts to improve people’s daily lives.
Construction workers walk amid a yellow alert for heatwave in Guangdong province in China. (Photo: Reuters)
Some experts have also raised concerns about water consumption in regions facing water shortages, although supporters argue that the systems use relatively small amounts of water because the mist evaporates almost immediately.
The Shanxi project is part of a growing global effort to help cities adapt to rising temperatures through practical, energy-efficient cooling solutions.
As heatwaves become more common, innovations like rooftop misting systems could become an increasingly familiar sight in urban areas.
China is developing simple, practical solutions for everyday problems.A fine mist cools the roof in seconds, lowering the surface temperature from 32.6°C (90.7°F) to 31°C (87.8°F). By reducing heat entering the building, it helps keep indoor spaces cooler. pic.twitter.com/xCnEth4aSM— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 1, 2026