Beijing has been shivering over the weekend, with the lowest temperature on Sunday falling to -13 C. As cold as this was, it was just short of the 10-year record -13.5 C, said Chen Dagang, senior engineer at Beijing meteorological bureau.
But the record is expected to be smashed on Monday when the mercury is expected to read -15 C.
The municipal government ordered hotels, restaurants, government departments and public-funded institutions to reduce their heating demands on Saturday to ensure heating for residents would be guaranteed.
About 3,900 public buildings in Beijing were asked to keep their indoor temperatures under 22 C and heating systems for government buildings were requested to maintain a temperature of 5 C.
Overheating in public buildings will be punished, according to the government.
More than 100 extra buses have been allocated to key routes that link major residential areas to transport pivots and shopping centers, according to Beijing Public Transport Holdings.
"I haven't seen such cold for at least 15 years," said Wu Xinxin, a white-collar worker in Beijing. "Most of my female colleagues have been wrapping themselves in blankets.
"I wrap myself up with a quilt at home as the central heating sometimes doesn't generate enough warmth, so I have to use an electric heater."
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