Beijing sizzles as mercury climbs above 42 C, breaking May record

Li Hailong set out on an electric bike at about 8 am on Thursday to deliver packages across Beijing.

By 2 pm, the Quanfeng Express deliveryman had made his usual 90-odd trips in the capital's Dongcheng district, but at a building near busy Wangfujing he was hit by a bout of dizziness.

Li was one of many Beijingers who felt the full force of the capital's hottest May day for more than 60 years.