The Dog Days of Summer Arrive in Beijing
Beijing's pleasant summer has come to a close as the city has entered the San Fu Tian (三伏天 sān fú tiān) phase of the Chinese calendar. This summer period lasts approximately 30 to 40 days, spanning from July to August, and aligns with the "dog days of summer," which are considered the hottest days of the year.
As the name indicates, the San Fu Tian period is divided into three segments: the Initial (Head) Fu, the Middle Fu, and the Last Fu. This year, the San Fu Tian runs from July 15 to August 23, a 40-day stretch that brings high temperatures and increased humidity.
Beijing's San Fu Tian 2026 Schedule:
- Initial Fu (July 15–July 24): 10 days
- Middle Fu (July 25–August 13): 20 days, the year's hottest phase
- Last Fu (August 14–August 23): 10 days
The San Fu Tian will officially conclude on August 24. The effects of San Fu Tian have already been felt, with a location near the Bird's Nest recording an impressive high of 41.3 °C on July 15. While temperatures may dip slightly from the recent highs and thunderstorms are anticipated, residents are urged to take precautions against the sun and heat, particularly to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Changes in Share Bike Pricing in the City
Three bike-sharing companies have recently made a collective decision to modify their base riding fare, but the changes aren't just a straightforward price increase.
Meituan, Didi Qingju, and Hellobike have adjusted their initial fare for shared bikes in several cities, changing it from RMB 1.5 per 30 minutes to RMB 1.88–1.99 per 60 minutes. However, the specific pricing can vary based on the location and day of your ride. For Meituan, the new starting price is RMB 1.88 per 60 minutes on both weekdays and weekends across the six main districts of the city, while other districts will maintain the previous rate of RMB 1.5 per 30 minutes during the week and on weekends.
For holidays, all districts will implement a rate of RMB 1.88 per 60 minutes, reduced from the former holiday rate of RMB 2.5 per 60 minutes. Didi Qingju has set its starting rate at RMB 1.99 per 60 minutes for both weekdays and weekends. Meanwhile, Hellobike has also adjusted its starting fare to RMB 1.99 per 60 minutes on weekdays.
These alterations do not automatically translate to price increases for every ride. Previously, a 45-minute ride, which exceeded the base 30-minute period, would have cost RMB 3. Under the new pricing, the same 45-minute ride, falling short of the new base 60-minute ride period, would only cost RMB 1.88–1.99, representing an increase of RMB 0.38–0.49, but an overall reduction of RMB 1.01–1.12 for the same ride duration. Therefore, the new share bike rates appear to favor customers taking longer rides and those using the bikes on holidays.
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