More than 2,500 tourists flocked to Northwest China’s Turpan to enjoy the extreme heat as temperature rose to 83 C at 4pm on Monday, Xinjiang Morning Post reported on Tuesday.
It was the highest ground surface temperature recorded this year, the newspaper citing an official in Turpan said.
▲ A huge thermometer shows ground surface temperature at 83 C in a scenic area in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, June 25, 2018.
Wang Hong, deputy general manager of the Turpan Flame Mountain Scenic Area, said that this was the fourth time the temperature surged over 80 C since June.
Last year, the highest recorded temperature was 89 degrees on July 11.
▲ Tourists flock to the scenic area to enjoy the extreme heat, June 25, 2018.
A huge thermometer, 12 meters tall and 65 centimeters wide, measures the temperature. Located at the center of the scenic area, it is one of the favorite places for tourists to take photos.
Wang said the thermometer could measure surface temperature as high as 100 C, with margin of error within 0.5 degrees.
▲ A huge thermometer shows ground surface temperature at 83 C in a scenic area in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, June 25, 2018.
The area bakes eggs using sand, a popular preparation among tourists. On Monday alone, about 240 such eggs were sold.
Wang said the best time to enjoy the heat is between 3pm and 4pm when the surface temperature is at its peak. He said a new record will be made in July.
Turpan in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is known as China’s ‘heat pole’.
▲ The area bakes eggs using sand.
▲ An egg baked using sand.
▲ Tourists are seen near the site where eggs are baked.
▲ Tourists are seen near the site where eggs are baked.