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by David Parmer / Tokyo
November 7-22 on the old solar calendar is called “lidong” in China and is considered the official beginning of winter. Beijing’s heating season starts in mid-November and runs to mid-March. However the Beijing area reported is first light snow on October 10th in its Haitou Mountain area, several weeks before the season begins.
Temperatures in November head downward from a low of 5°C to a frosty -2°C in December to an even-more-frosty -4° in January to a still-more-frosty -2°C in February before returning to a more reasonable 5°C in March at the end of the heating season.
Dry and cold months bring their own pleasures and challenges to China’s capital. Despite the relatively short days and cold nights, residents can enjoy skiing and skating and take pleasure in eating several seasonal hot dishes and visiting temple fairs.
Every year Beijing experiences compromised air quality that is the result of a number of contributing factors including motor vehicle exhaust, the burning of coal for heating and industry, and construction dust. Add to this a dry winter climate with slight precipitation and the result is air quality issues of varying degrees for the winter months.
In 2017 China’s government has taken further steps to tackle the air-quality problem. This winter (2017-18) there will be a construction halt for the building of roads and waterworks and a ban on the demolition of old housing. All but necessary construction will be halted. It remains to be seen if these measures will produce the desired improvement in air quality.
As for the Beijing winter, it seems that the choice of attitude is up to the individual resident or visitor: it can be seen as a quiet and peaceful time to draw in and recharge, or a season to be endured until the first buds of spring appear on the capitol’s barren trees and bushes.
Photo: Snowy Gate by Jack via flickr
Photo: Beijing Hot Pot, Joanne Wan via flickr
Photo: Summer Palace in Winter michel_china via flickr