China smog

[dbsb3233]

Here's a couple of links that post hourly air quality index numbers from the US embassies...

 

https://twitter.com/BeijingAir

https://twitter.com/CGShanghaiAir

 

The number before the last semicolon is the one that matters. That's the AQI. Here's the scale...

 

http://www.airnow.gov/?action=aqibasics.aqi

[MVPinBoynton]

Here's a couple of links that post hourly air quality index numbers from the US embassies...

 

https://twitter.com/BeijingAir

https://twitter.com/CGShanghaiAir

 

The number before the last semicolon is the one that matters. That's the AQI. Here's the scale...

 

http://www.airnow.gov/?action=aqibasics.aqi

 

Thanks so much for this info. It is most helpful.

[dbsb3233]

Thanks so much for this info. It is most helpful.

Glad to help. BTW, we found basic dust masks at Dollar Tree... a pack of 10 for a buck! Such a deal. :)

 

Probably won't use them, but at that price we'll throw a pack into our luggage just in case.

[DipBrat]

Glad to help. BTW, we found basic dust masks at Dollar Tree... a pack of 10 for a buck! Such a deal. :)

 

Probably won't use them, but at that price we'll throw a pack into our luggage just in case.

 

Unfortunately these masks likely will not be of any use against the fine particulate pollution in Chinese cities. You need a higher quality N95 mask. These can get very hot and are only as good as the fit.

[dbsb3233]

Unfortunately these masks likely will not be of any use against the fine particulate pollution in Chinese cities. You need a higher quality N95 mask. These can get very hot and are only as good as the fit.

We've heard that might be the case. Oh well, we really don't plan on using them anyway. If nothing else they may provide a bit of psychological comfort in case the air looks really bad. As I understand it, April isn't usually near as bad as some other months.

[greatam]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-china-pollution-idUSBREA1C02D20140213

[Keith1010]

Pollution is terrible in Beijing as it is in several cities in China and Hong Kong continues to get worse with each passing year.

 

If you have allergies it can be even worse.

 

Keith

[Down2earth]

Wrong place sorry

Edited March 4, 2014 by Down2earth

[Down2earth]

We went to Beijing for a week which coincided with Golden Week. It was crowded but we had good weather that first week in October. Maybe it was luck but I was told by some of the locals everyone is on vacation so a lot of factories were closed or scaled back so less pollution. Not sure I totally believed that story but I was grateful for the clear skies and sunny weather.

Hi there just booked to arrive 1st october pre cruise 6 nights in china, and just found out it's the start of Golden week, how was it for you,as loads of negative views , our first time in China, going to cost £1000 to change dates, live and learn

Thanking you

Regards from Isle of Anglesey

[Down2earth]

Wrong place again

Edited March 4, 2014 by Down2earth
Wrong place

[DipBrat]

Hi there just booked to arrive 1st october pre cruise 6 nights in china, and just found out it's the start of Golden week, how was it for you,as loads of negative views , our first time in China, going to cost £1000 to change dates, live and learn

Thanking you

Regards from Isle of Anglesey

 

It will be busy. Bascially the whole country is on vacation and for most it is the only time of year they can travel as a tourist. But, you can still have a good trip during a Golden Week. On the plus side the air will be much better. You will need to work a little harder to avoid the peak sites at peak times. E.g. there are lots of good places to see the Great Wall besides Badaling and Mutianyu which will be literally wall to wall people during the October Golden Week.

[Down2earth]

Hi there

Thank you for the info on golden week

Just had a call from Our TA , Able to cancel the cruise as unrest in Bangkok so we can't stay post cruise for our 3 nights there,

Instead princess embark /disembark at Syngapore and just do a day call at Bangkok

 

This will enable us to go earlier in September departing from Syngapore , arriving Beijing on 7th October just after Golden week

strange how things work out in the end

 

Best regards

Anglesey north wales coast