So hot the soles of my shoes melted: Surviving a heatwave in China's hottest city

ST China correspondent Danson Cheong had to buy a pair of new shoes in Chongqing for 53 yuan (S$11) - after extreme heat melted the soles of his shoes. - ST

CHONGQING (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): In the alleyways of Chongqing these days there is one constant - the roar of air-conditioning compressors and the steady dripping of condensation.

In front of Wen's stall, there are 35 of these machines just on one side of the street alone, making a big din as they keep people cool.