Hi,
I am in a process of planning my trip to China in late September - beginning of October. I am thinking of going to Beijing, Xian, taking Yangtze Cruise, then covering some places in Southern China: Hong Kong, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.
But I became very hesitant after I talked to my coworker who took similar tour last October. She told me that Chinese cities and sightseeing are VERY polluted. People in her group had numerous health problems because of this unhealthy environment. The sightseeing in each place was great, but it definitely was not a relaxing vacation. It took her 2 weeks after the trip to get back to normal.
When I asked her if she would have taken this trip if she knew ... The answer was: 'No'.
Did you have similar problems during your trip to China?
Would you recommend going on vacation to China?
Thanks. Lev.

Air quality isn't the worst in late summer or early fall, but it's common for visitors to have respiratory problems. Usually it's just a minor cough. My family and I usually develop them after about 10 days in China/Hong Kong.

Regular cough medicine, probably one with anti-histamine, should alleviate most problems. Our bodies aren't used to all that particulates in the air.

Many locals wear face masks on the streets all the time. That may be another option.

I heard the same comments. How is the pollution in late June, early July? I've heard people with asthma in particular have problems.

Thanks!

We were in China for three weeks in September 2005 and didn't experience any respiratory problems. Xian and Chongqing were the two most polluted cities we visited. Relax, you'll have a great time!

The problem seems to be worse in the cold months because of all the coal that is burned for heat.
We were there for nearly 2 weeks in March and did not have respiratory problems, but our eyes were stinging a bit in Xian. Bring Visine or other eye soothing drops!

It is very common for visitors to have upper respiratory tract irritation, or infections. The air is more polluted than it is anywhere I've been in North America. Go to a travel doctor and get a precautionary prescription for antibiotics filled before you go.

I was in Beijing in October, and some days you could not clearly see the highrises two blocks away. That said, I had NO problems.

I am very susceptible to respiratory problems when I travel, i live on the ocean and am used to (somewhat) clean air.
i always take visine, cough drops and sudafed with me when i travel to SEA.
just last month i got a respiratory/sinus infection in BKK.
if you travel with these items and take them immediately upon experiencing symptoms, you should be fine.

All good suggestions. Thanks everyone.
Thanks Lev for bringing this up!

Did air pollution had an effect on your eyes?

My husband and I spent 3 weeks in China in May. We both had sinus infections when we got home and had to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks. In spite of that, we loved the trip and I would do it again without hesitation.

We were in Shanghai around Xmas time in 2005 and it was the worst air pollution I have ever seen for much of the time we were there which was about 5 days .When a breeze came it cleared but before that it was pea soup stuff.So do take all necessary medications etc to help .

if it's cold and I'm in a big chinese city then usually yes, a cold does come on after a few days. Mix of pollution and not being used to the environment.

but not always, and September is a fine time to go. Don't fret about it tooooo much. Make sure you're as fit as possible before you go.

Been to various parts of China on business and for pleasure. I noticed the air quality was getting worse every time, no matter what season of the year. Now I reduce my travel there and if I have to go, I try hard to shorten my stay. I experienced eye irritation and coughing. Asked my doctor once before departure, he suggested to wear a mouth mask to filter the fine particles. The real sad part is, most of my digital photos looked real hazy; never saw much of a cloud in the sky.

I was planning to take a lot pictures with my Canon Rebel XT. But if
digital photos will look real hazy and air pollution is very bad then
it may make sense just drop China altogether and go somewhere else.. I was in Thailand in 2005 and air in Bangkok was bad, but the rest of the country was OK.

Wait! But you can take beautiful pictures of the sun setting behind the smog! Won't be possible if not for the pollution.

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p158269250/?photo=50214850

Or like this one that the smog creates such a "misty" atmosphere in bright daylight:

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p123996629/?photo=24202678

But if you want to see the worst, try this one. Taken just before 11am. Dry, cool day, so it's not fog. Not a piece of cloud in the sky. This is southern China, so it's not sandstorm.

100% smog.

The pier of the bridge is less than 1 mile away.

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p371008151/?photo=839091022

rkkwan,
were you able to see blue sky and sun not covered with smog anywhere in China?

Lev - Yes, of course. Yunnan is all nice and clear. And even in the Pearl Delta Region, it just depends on where you are. West side of the river is fine; east side is not. In Hong Kong, some days are good, some days bad.

I was just showing you some pictures where the smog is highly visible.

Another factor not mentioned is smoke caused when farmers burn off the straw from their crops in the fall. It depends on where they are in the harvest and on whether it's been raining or not, but some periods in September and October can be very problematic for those with asthma or other respiratory difficulties.

This isn't a big problem in Beijing, Shanghai and environs or really in Guilin. However, Xian and the whole Yangtze Valley can be terrible.

I'm not sure just how effective regular masks are against particulate this small. But I've at least psychologically felt better wearing a charcoal-filter mask I bought on Magellans.com. (I have no financial interest in this recommendation!) Meanwhile, I implore my higher power to send rain to all these destinations right before I'm scheduled to be there, but to turn sunny at my arrival.

K.

just an article I was reading regarding the haze

http://digbig.com/4rhrn