Visitors to the Forbidden City in Beijing use umbrellas to guard against scorching heat, as the heat wave sweeps over much of North China. (Photo: VCG, compiled by Bai Yuanqi)

Despite a scorching heat wave in Beijing, many people still visited the Temple of Heaven with protection from the sun.

People wear anti-sunshine clothes in Tianjin as residents have been advised to guard against the heat wave sweeping most northern parts of China.

Beijing meteorologists have issued a yellow alert for high temperature, and the local temperature hits 40 degree Celsius on Thursday.

A soldier stands guard in Tiananmen Square under the hot sun.

Beijing meteorologists have issued a yellow alert for high temperature, and the local temperature hits 40 degree Celsius on Thursday.

Beijing meteorologists have issued a yellow alert for high temperature, and the local temperature hits 40 degree Celsius on Thursday.