When summer arrives in Texas, the weather seems to challenge who can endure it.

By the end of June, temperatures regularly exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity feels sticky as if sprayed with a mist.

By July, the heat continues day and night, and even when heavy rains come, the sweltering heat returns within just two days.

As a result, Houston is a city where 'summer survival skills' are essential, and the locals have smartly found the answer.

That answer is the underground tunnel system (Houston Downtown Tunnel System).

In Downtown Houston, there is a massive underground tunnel network that most travelers or immigrants are unaware of.

It stretches over 6 miles (about 10 km) in length, known as the "Houston Downtown Tunnel System."

From the outside, it looks like just a forest of buildings, but beneath it lies another city.

This tunnel system is not just a passageway. It connects office buildings, hotels, banks, shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons, and post offices.

For example, you can commute to your downtown office around 8 AM, and when lunchtime comes, you can find a restaurant underground without needing to go outside, and in the afternoon, you can grab a coffee and take care of your banking needs. You can even stop by a hair salon on your way home.

Thanks to this system, on scorching days, rainy days, and days with high humidity... this tunnel is truly a blessing.

This tunnel system was not initially planned on such a grand scale.

In the 1930s, it began as a simple connection passage created for employees to move between two high-rise buildings on rainy days.

However, it became so convenient that over time, more and more connections were made, evolving into the massive tunnel network we see today.

Now, over 80 buildings are connected to this underground tunnel. The downside is that travelers often find it difficult to locate which building is connected.

Using Google Maps makes it easy to find your way, as technology has improved. And once you enter, the scenery inside the tunnel is surprisingly modern.

The air conditioning is strong, and chain stores and local shops are densely packed under neon signs.

People bustle about wearing headsets, sipping coffee, making it feel like you are inside a large shopping mall.

During the morning and lunchtime, it gets incredibly crowded.

As mentioned earlier, the underground passage has almost no signs outside, so you usually have to enter through the lobby of the building on the first floor.

In other words, it operates like a "secret passage that only I know about."

Also, most places close at night. Many are also closed on weekends, making it hard to expect access outside of weekday daytime hours.

Nevertheless, this underground tunnel is Houston's secret weapon for enduring the heat.

Thanks to the underground world, office workers in suits can enjoy lunch and return without breaking a sweat.

When I first experienced this tunnel, I felt as if I had entered the movie 'Inception'.

It felt like a different city above and below, and I had the sensation of discovering a hidden treasure in Houston.

I expected it to be stuffy since it's underground, but surprisingly, it was comfortable, and the flow of movement was well designed, making me realize that the term "underground city" is not used for nothing.

If you plan to visit Downtown Houston in the summer, it's quicker to ask a local, "Where do I enter the tunnel?" than to rely on Google Maps.

And I recommend experiencing this hidden city as "better underground than above ground" at least once.

There is also a lot of information on YouTube, so it would be good to check it out.