Climate change is characterized by warming trends, consequences of which are heat waves. These major meteorological disasters have severely threatened ecosystems, social and economic development, and human survival. At present, research on heat waves focuses on their description, causation, and consequences. Currently, little research describes the public perception of heat waves, even as this perception forms the social foundation of human response and adaptation to this phenomenon and has aroused interests of scholars both domestic and abroad. Our survey of 585 residents of Fuzhou, an urban area severely affected by heat waves, shows that: (1) most Fuzhou residents (75.56%) were able to correctly discern the local warming trend and 85.81% believes that this trend has become more severe since 2000, in accordance with meteorological data; (2) most Fuzhou residents (79.83%) have experienced heat waves and noticed their impact: 85.81% believed that heat waves significantly affected daily life, while 14.02% reported no effects. (3) ANOVA revealed that perceptions differed among subgroups. The perception of the warming trend differs significantly across age groups, increasing at first and then decreasing. Moreover, the perception of the impact of heat waves correlates with health, gradually decreasing with improved health levels. No correlation was found with gender, education, or occupational factors, consistent with previous reports. In addition, the results demonstrate that local residents spontaneously adopt a variety of adaptive behaviors during heat waves; these include increasing water intake, making dietary adjustments, installing air-conditioning, wearing cooler clothing, and using shading devices. Factors determining the adaptive measures chosen include income and convenience. Although air conditioning can effectively mitigate heat wave impact, because widespread use of this technology enhances the urban heat island effect and the risk of future heat waves, measures should be taken to reduce it. In the context of global warming, most metropolitan areas in China have been heavily affected by heat waves. Perceptions of heat waves among urban residents, which will guide them in taking measures to alleviate negative impacts, is a crucial area requiring further study, the results of which can serve as a valuable resource for local governments.