Weather is partly to blame. Last year was unusually warm and the winds that usually sweep the skies clear in spring and autumn were unusually calm. Frequent temperature inversions trapped smog over the city, which is ringed on three sides by mountains. Only on windy days do Beijingers see the purple mountain ranges to the west. Most nights, the skies are rosy-gray.
City lights glow dimly through a thick haze.
City authorities say they don't expect blue skies right away. We have to get people to understand that air pollution has something to do with everyone.