Beijing - Change in Visibility Over 24 Hours

fasternyou929 · 10-14-2009, 01:39 PM

I've tried to explain to friends how much the air quality in Beijing can vary, and how quickly. Throughout a day visibility can change from a mile or more to a couple city blocks.

On my last trip, I had the most perfect weather I've ever seen there. Blue sky in Beijing proper, high 70 to low 80 degree temps. If at all possible I would've called in sick just get out and enjoy it.

The next day, I couldn't believe how much it had changed.

These pictures were taken on separate days, but within an hour of each other. The clear one taken from the Beijing office ~10am, the other taken from my hotel at 8:30-9:00am.

shmike · 10-14-2009, 01:42 PM

Crazy.

What is the cause?

Is it pollution or fog-like?

Trip · 10-14-2009, 01:42 PM

pollution

the green sky is creepy as fuck

fasternyou929 · 10-14-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Crazy.

What is the cause?

Is it pollution or fog-like?

A lot is pollution, you can actually see it build up in the afternoon as traffic increases (no catalytic converters in China). And the smell is something like burnt copper. Unpleasant on days like picture #2.

The location of Beijing doesn't help. The winds will trap the air between the sea to the East and the mountains to the North and North West (where part of the Great Wall is).

The locals actually refer to it as "fog", because that's what the media refers to it as. The more educated, particularly those that travel internationally, know what it really is and call it smog.

fasternyou929 · 10-14-2009, 01:55 PM

Here's another from the same day - moved the camera up to get the sunrise.

CasterTroy · 10-14-2009, 02:48 PM

Thats the sun?

Looks more like a reflection of a light in your room, or maybe a spec on the lens

WOW

My wife said it sucked there and she had terrible allergies and breathing problems, but she was in a hotel training all DAY so she only came out at night. She didn't mention the horrible polution. I'll have to show her these pics

anthonyk · 10-14-2009, 03:04 PM

Jesus, I'm glad I'm skipping that leg of my next business trip. That's nuts!

t-homo · 10-14-2009, 03:52 PM

Looks like going to beijing is no longer on the bucket list.

tommymac · 10-14-2009, 03:54 PM

maybe the govt wants to use lung cancer to thin the herd over there.

Tom

HurricaneHeather · 10-14-2009, 04:03 PM

Cheese and rice that is aweful!!

10-14-2009, 02:48 PM	#6
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	Thats the sun? Looks more like a reflection of a light in your room, or maybe a spec on the lens WOW My wife said it sucked there and she had terrible allergies and breathing problems, but she was in a hotel training all DAY so she only came out at night. She didn't mention the horrible polution. I'll have to show her these pics __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

10-14-2009, 01:42 PM	#2
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Crazy. What is the cause? Is it pollution or fog-like? __________________ Racing For Smiles

10-14-2009, 03:04 PM	#7
anthonyk WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco Posts: 1,041	Jesus, I'm glad I'm skipping that leg of my next business trip. That's nuts!

10-14-2009, 03:52 PM	#8
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	Looks like going to beijing is no longer on the bucket list.

10-14-2009, 03:54 PM	#9
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	maybe the govt wants to use lung cancer to thin the herd over there. Tom

10-14-2009, 04:03 PM	#10
HurricaneHeather AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Moto: '98 Honda Fireblade Posts: 3,696	Cheese and rice that is aweful!!