Is the air quality good in Beijing?
As of November 15, 2026, at 9:00 PM CST (GMT+8), air quality in Beijing, China, is poor, with AQI above 180, classified as “unhealthy,” with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant, currently 22 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. PM10 is also elevated.
Air quality has remained in the unhealthy range since Wednesday, November 11. These conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear a mask when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.
Beijing’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 26.8 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 85, classified as “moderate” and 5.36 times the WHO annual guideline. Today’s readings are significantly above that annual average, reflecting a prolonged autumn pollution episode.
For real-time conditions, see Beijing’s air quality map.
Beijing, China, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally as of 9:00 PM (local time) on November 15, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Beijing, China, as of 9:00 PM (local time) on November 15, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Beijing?
The hourly forecast shows AQI easing overnight and into Monday, though conditions are likely to rise again early Tuesday. The daily forecast indicates stronger northwesterly winds and cooler temperatures arriving from Tuesday night, with noticeably cleaner air by Thursday. Short-term relief depends on these windy conditions. With the heating season ongoing, pollution episodes are likely to recur through winter (1).
Hourly air quality forecast for Beijing, China, as of 9:00 PM (local time) on November 15, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Beijing?
Today’s pollution reflects a regional air pollution episode affecting the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, driven by unfavorable meteorological conditions that limit pollutant dispersion. Light winds allow emissions from vehicles, industry, and coal combustion across the region to accumulate over Beijing. The city activated an orange alert for heavy air pollution on November 11 (2).
With the onset of the heating season, residential coal burning increases, further elevating PM2.5 emissions. Residential coal burning contributes about 46% of monthly average PM2.5 concentrations across the region during winter, with most emissions originating in Hebei (3).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
