Page 1 Summer is elsewhere

When we first started to plan a special summer issue, we traced back to see how our ancestors used to make the most of the season and escape from its oppressive heat.

Page 2 Legacy - Summer customs of the ancient Chinese

People today make preparations for the warm summer months, and it was no different in ancient times. Whether in summer fashions, or methods of cooling down the house, summer brings a whole new lifestyle.

Page 3 Legacy - How the ancients dealt with summer's dog days

People in ancient China developed a complete set of recipes for eating well throughout the year- certain roads for certain seasons - and summer was no exception. As well as food that helped counter internal heat, different wares were invented to counter external heat.

Page 4 Unwind

The daydream-inducing prospect of a long, hot summer, delicious as it may be, raises a serious question. What do you do in Beijing when the temperature is approaching 40 degrees, other than gaze wistfully out the window of your air-conditioned office, or maintain a sensible body temperature by way of ingesting a steady flow of cold beer at a Houhai bar? Get out of town of course, if you know what’s good for you.

Page 5 Escapes

As this prelude-to-summer special edition of Beijing Today makes abundantly clear, there is no shortage of things to do, see and eat in Beijing during the warmer months. But summer also brings, with any luck, summer holidays, and a chance to escape the city heat. So here are four suggestions for getting out of town for a week, or even just a weekend.

Page 6 Sports

Summer is always a big season for sport and this year sees two of the biggest quadrennial events in the sporting calendar; the Olympic Games and the European Soccer Championships. Also vying for people’s attention will be the French Open and, of course, the Tour de France, a race that promises to be especially memorable this year.

Page 7 Sustenance

It may seem outlandish, but eating the right foods can help cool heat within the body and thereby make outside temperatures more bearable, according to traditional Chinese medicine. Some foods with such quenching qualities are a bit unusual, but most are simple to prepare, meaning edible treatments for overheating and other warm weather ailments are good for any summer meal.

Page 8 Chill

Nothing staves off summer heat like a good frozen treat. Ready-made options come in an amazing range of forms, from basic popsicles to the more bizarre bars reviewed below. Other kinds of ice-based desserts, such as granitas and shaved ice, are easy and fun to make at home and promise soothing, cooling refreshment.