Hangzhou, I Officially Surrender.
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Wow, friends, my visit to Hangzhou provided quite an experience!
The weather here is something else... it feels like I'm not clean anymore, sticky and uncomfortable!
- Although it's just the end of May, it's incredibly humid and stifling when you step outside. The air seems so wet that you can almost wring water out of it, leaving your skin feeling sticky and making breathing somewhat difficult.
- At night, you'll toss and turn due to the heat, unable to get any restful sleep - the hot conditions are truly unbearable! Oh no!
Important heads-up for anyone planning to visit Hangzhou soon:-
What is “plum rain season”? If you're visiting Hangzhou or other areas along the Yangtze River Delta (like Shanghai and Nanjing) from late May to early July, you might encounter this “plum rain season.”
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This peculiar weather phenomenon takes its name because it happens around the time when plums ripen. In simple terms, it's marked by prolonged drizzle, high temperatures, and high humidity, making the air very dense.
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What to expect for your trip?
- Sticky: Get mentally prepared to feel like a sticky sticky-rice cake walking around everywhere
- Muggy/Uncomfortable: Even when it isn't raining, the air feels stagnant and heavy on the chest.
- Hot: Combined with high humidity, it feels like a steamy hot day; the body feels very warm.
- Hard to Dry: Your clothes may take days before they dry after being washed.
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How to deal with it:
- Clothing: Pack moisture-wicking, lightweight, breathable clothing and bring a few extra outfits for changes because sweating can be intense.
- Accommodation: When booking hotels, double check for powerful air conditioning as it will be essential in coping with the heat!
- Getting Around: Bring an umbrella (ones suitable for both sunny and rainy days), small fans, tissues / wet wipes. Drink plenty of water and watch out for heatstroke.
- Mindset: Keep a positive attitude - this is how the weather is here! Just know that the locals experience the same discomfort too, ha-ha!
#HangzhouWeather #HangzhouTravelTips #SurvivalGuideforthePlumRainSeason #HeatWave #JiangnanWetAndSticky
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Any Hangzhou locals here? It's raining right now, and I'm planning a visit.
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I think it might rain around noon.
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The slightest movement and my whole body feels sticky.
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Yeah, it's so sticky and humid.
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I have the AC on dehumidify mode 24/7. I turned it off for a bit this morning, and I could already smell my t-shirt starting to get that damp, musty smell. The smell vanished as soon as I switched the AC back on.
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That's hilarious, haha!
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What kind of clothes are suitable for Hangzhou these days? I'm heading there tomorrow for a week and would appreciate some advice! Thanks!!
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Looks like the temperature has dropped. I'll go out later today and see how it feels.
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Wow, it's surprisingly chilly again tonight.
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Relax, the plum rain season (Meiyu) hasn't even started yet.
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I have to shower the moment I get home from being out, otherwise I feel instantly grimy.
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Haha, well, I might be a bit better off. Not 'sour' yet, just sticky.
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It's snowing up in the mountains here, while it's raining in the county town. So cold you need a padded jacket or a down coat! I'm planning to go to Hangzhou on June 1st – wonder if I'll be boiling hot there.
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The forecast for those days looks okay. It might be a bit muggy, but the temperature isn't expected to be too high.
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I feel so sluggish and weighed down the moment I leave the air-conditioned space.
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Exactly, it feels so stuffy you can barely breathe.
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Since I came here, my complexion has gotten tanner and kind of sallow.
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What's going on? How did I end up getting tanned too?