The day dawned crisp and clear today. Phrases like “you can see forever” spring to mind, especially since the last few days have been murky to say the best.
Clear Day in Beijing
When we get a sandstorm in winter it is a mixed blessing. On one hand you should probably wear a face mask like surgeons do to cope with the particulate matter in the air while on the other hand the sunrises, sunsets and temperature are wonderful. From an average of minus 9 at night and a high of 3 usually we soared to 16 one day and 14 the next with lows of 6 Celsius.
The view from our window at 385 pollution count
For days pollution levels measured by the United States Embassy were 389 to 525 which is extremely high and warnings that people should wear masks were issued. Then, about 3 PM or 1500 as the Chinese say, a 45 Km wind started up and within hours the level plummeted to 25, a figure most North American cities would envy.
Pollution only about 25-50 – Picture taken by my daughter Victoria when she visited recently