10 Ways to Survive the Smog in Beijing
A typical Beijing day sees pollution levels reach far beyond the recommendations of the U.S. and European authorities. And on bad days? Visibility drops to a few hundred meters, the sun looks like a dull blurry blob, and lungs struggle for air while eyes itch and burn. Here are ten survival tips for those bad days.
Filter, filter, filter
1. Buy an air purifier. Well-known brands such as BlueAir or IQAir are not cheap — they cost thousands of yuan — but are arguably worth it simply for the peace of mind. Xiaomi is a good local option that costs less than 1000 yuan. Check to see how many units are needed to effectively clean a given apartment and that enough space is left around and above each one for adequate air circulation.
2. Make your own. The team at SmartAir found that a HEPA (high efficiency particulate absorption) filter strapped to the front of a normal electric fan is nearly as effective as the priciest air purifiers. Those who would rather not hunt down components can get a complete package from Smart Air, with units starting from as little as 200 yuan, including shipping.
Enjoy home sweet home
4. Exercise indoors. It’s bad enough the pollution wreaks havoc on people’s lungs, it’s even worse that it discourages the activity to keep healthy. Pair that air purifier with a stationary bike, a treadmill or a set of weights when it gets too smoggy to exercise outside.
5. Enjoy food delivery. There are hundreds of breakfast, lunch and dinner delivery options in Beijing. Whether fast food from KFC or McDonald’s, pizza from Annie’s, Gung Ho and Pizza+, or meals from restaurants that cover everything from local cuisine to organic fare, there is no shortage of options available. You can order via phone call, Wechat or delivery services such as Sherpa.
6. Track the pollution. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing ruffled a few feathers when it started to anonymously publish pollution statistics for the city but there are now hundreds of readings available across China. Get in-depth results here, with one of many apps or with a hand-sized pollution monitoring device. That will give you an idea of when it’s safe to breath easy again.
Stay safe outdoors
7. Wear a mask. It should be rated N95 or higher, which means it removes 95 percent of particular matter 0.3 microns in size or bigger. (A strand of hair is typically 50 to 100 microns wide.) Just as important is the fit. A mask with a highly effective filter is useless unless it snugly covers the nose and mouth. Three commonly recommended mask brands are 3M, Vogmark or Respro.
8. Filter your eating options. A growing number of restaurants are responding to their customers’ pollution concerns by installing air purifiers. While the results might be less effective than at home, due to customers constantly entering and exiting, they are better than nothing. Organic restaurant Tribe and craft brew pub Jing-A are among the establishments that now have air purifiers in Beijing.
9. Get out of town. When the forecast calls for three or more days of substantial pollution, it might be time for that mini-vacation. Shanghai is only a six hour ride by high-speed rail and the air is much fresher. There are also plenty of getaways just an hour or two away by air, including South Korea.
10. Enjoy those blue sky days. When the wind sweeps away all that smog, air out the apartment, go for a run and visit the parks. Enjoy that clean air while it lasts: statistics suggest the overall pollution situation has improved during the past few years but residents can expect spells of smog for a long time to come.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
