The key to life is excess in moderation, according to controversial American stand-up comedian Doug Stanhope. Interpreting this in terms of weather, many residents from cooler countries flock to hotter climates to get an annual dose of sun and sand (returning home lobster red more often than not).
It's hard to follow this way of thinking in Beijing though. The harsh winter temperatures are as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius at times, but the height of summer also challenges thermometers, lately pushing them up to a scorching 40 degrees Celsius. Certainly it's excessive with little sign of moderation.
Of course in Beijing it often feels like a different season indoors than out. In winter, you might freeze to death outside, but end up wishing you'd worn something lighter when stepping into the baking Beijing shopping malls.
And in the summer Chinese businesses fully embrace full-blast air conditioning and transform their places of work into a climate utopia for the heat-wearied among us.
Hot weather is never a bad thing when you're at the beach with the sea at your side, splitting your time between happily lounging with a mojito cocktail and casually cooling off in the refreshing ocean.
But it's certainly less appreciated while working hard in Beijing, where your face feels like it will permanently melt during the brief exposure to the air between the apartment and the subway.
Those who are still wearing trousers or suits must be roasting as most sensibly opt for shorts and skirts in these times of maximum temperature.
The heat isn't exclusive to Beijing. The recent heat wave affecting all of China ensured a new record for national energy use. As of Monday, that record now stands at 12.93 billion kilowatt-hours. Hopefully such high use won't disrupt the nation's power supply.
If you're an older citizen, it's time to take advantage of that air conditioning and stay at home in relative bliss, according to recent government advice. Children should be kept well hydrated.
The national forecaster suggests that the insanely sweltering weather is here until today at least and while they suggest it probably won't exceed 40 degrees Celsius again, it is worth taking sensible precautions.
Standard heat coping advice applies: make sure you drink plenty of water, especially alongside alcoholic beverages and stay sensible about the amount of time you spend in the sun.
Guard against sunburn with plenty of sunscreen or suntan lotion, especially if you want to avoid the lobster look - being red head-to-toe just isn't pleasant, despite the great number of people who manage to end up that way.
The best option for those with some disposable income is to head down to the coast on Friday night for a couple of days and bake in a more appropriate setting.
Beidaihe is a relatively short distance from Beijing and boasts both seaside and marginally cooler temperatures, but there also are plenty of other beachside resorts in China.
For those without the extra cash of beach trip, try to soothe yourselves by remembering how cold you were in December.
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