Home

China

World

Politics

Business

Sci-Tech

Health

Opinions

Video

Live

Radio

World Asia-Pacific Middle East Europe Americas Africa

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree

00:15

When heatwaves hit, one community in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province turned its rooftops into cooling heroes – and the world took notice.

The spray system releases a fine mist that lowers air temperatures by 8 degrees Celsius and ground temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius in just 10 minutes.

A screenshot of China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning's X post on July 1, 2026, about Shanxi's "rooftop rain" /@SpoxCHN_MaoNing

The dazzling "rooftop rain" first went viral across China and then caught global attention – including a nod from China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on X earlier this month.

International media and social media users pick up the "rooftop rain" story, calling it an "outdoor air conditioner." /Screenshots taken by CGTN

Soon, media in the US, France, and parts of South Asia picked up the story, calling it an "outdoor air conditioner." Using nothing more than water evaporation, the system delivers effective cooling without heavy energy consumption.

Open in CGTN APP for better experience

Search Trends

Smart cooling, Chinese style: Shanxi's 'rooftop rain' wows the world