China’s air quality problem is real, uneven, and improving. It is real enough that on bad days in Beijing in January, you can taste the air. It is uneven enough that Kunming and Xiamen consistently have air cleaner than London. And it is improving enough that Beijing’s average PM2.5 is roughly half what it was in 2013.
Knowing how to check the AQI and what to do when it is bad is the practical skill. Here is all of it.
Key Takeaways
- Check AQI before you go outside — use AQI China app or IQAir, not the official Chinese government figures.
- N95 / KN95 / FFP2 only — surgical masks and cloth masks do not filter PM2.5.
- Worst months: October–March in northern cities. Summer is significantly better.
- Worst cities: Northern industrial belt. Best: Kunming, Xiamen, Haikou, coastal south.
- Pack a mask if visiting Beijing, Zhengzhou, or Chengdu between October and March.
- Beijing has improved dramatically — but still has bad days. Check on arrival.
How to Read the AQI Scale
| AQI Range | Category | What to Do |
| 0–50 | Good | No precautions needed |
| 51–100 | Moderate | No precautions for most people |
| 101–150 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | Sensitive people reduce outdoor exertion |
| 151–200 | Unhealthy | Everyone limit outdoor activity; wear N95 outside |
| 201–300 | Very unhealthy | Avoid outdoor activity; N95 if you must go out |
| 301–500 | Hazardous | Stay indoors. Avoid all outdoor exertion |
The AQI values above use the US EPA standard, which is what the US Embassy sensors report and what AQI China and IQAir use. China’s official system uses different breakpoints — a Chinese government ‘Good’ day can correspond to a US ‘Moderate’ or ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ day. Always check apps that display the US AQI standard.
The Two Best Apps for China Air Quality
1. AQI China (Air Matters)
Pulls data from official Chinese monitoring stations plus US Embassy/Consulate sensors. Coverage of smaller Chinese cities is wider than any other app. Shows hourly forecasts, PM2.5 and PM10 breakdowns, and historical data. The map view lets you see air quality across a region. Free on iOS and Android.
2. IQAir AirVisual
Cleaner interface than AQI China. Shows a real-time world map of AQI readings with color coding. Useful for comparing air quality across multiple Chinese cities before deciding where to go. Pulls from the same monitoring station data. Also shows indoor AQI if you have an IQAir monitor. Free on iOS and Android.
[Insert Image 1 Here: A smartphone screen showing an air quality app with a map of China and colored AQI readings over different cities. The phone is held in a hand.]
What Mask to Buy
Only N95 (US standard), KN95 (Chinese standard), or FFP2 (European standard) masks filter PM2.5 particles. These are the only types worth wearing when AQI is elevated.
| Mask Type | Filters PM2.5? | Notes |
| N95 (US) | Yes | Recommended. Filter 95% of particles ≥0.3 micron |
| KN95 (China) | Yes | Chinese equivalent of N95. Widely available in China |
| FFP2 (Europe) | Yes | European equivalent. Good if buying before travel |
| Surgical / procedure mask | No | Filters large droplets only. Not effective for PM2.5 |
| Cloth / fabric mask | No | No meaningful PM2.5 filtration |
| Valved N95 | Partial | Protects wearer, not others. Not recommended in COVID context |
A mask only works if it seals properly against your face. Run your hands along the edges after putting it on to feel for air gaps. Glasses wearers: a mask with a metal nose strip that can be bent tight reduces fogging and gaps.
Where to Buy Masks in China
KN95 masks are available at any Chinese pharmacy (药店, yàodiàn) for under ¥5 each. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) in major cities also stock them. If you are visiting in winter and plan to be outdoors in a northern city, buying locally is easy. Pack 3–4 from home if you prefer N95 over KN95.
[Insert Image 2 Here: A shelf in a Chinese pharmacy with packaged KN95 and N95 masks in white and blue packaging. Price tags are visible on the shelf.]
City-by-City Air Quality Summary
| City | Typical Air Quality | Worst Season | Notes |
| Beijing | Moderate → Poor in winter | Nov–Feb | Major improvement since 2013; still has bad days |
| Shanghai | Moderate | Winter | Better than Beijing; coastal benefit |
| Guangzhou | Moderate | Winter | Generally better than northern cities |
| Shenzhen | Good–Moderate | Year-round good | Coastal; consistently better |
| Chengdu | Poor in winter | Oct–Mar | Basin geography traps pollution |
| Xi’an | Poor in winter | Oct–Mar | Industrial basin; can be severe |
| Zhengzhou | Poor | Oct–Mar | Among worst in China |
| Kunming | Good | Year-round | High altitude, clean air |
| Xiamen | Good | Year-round | Coastal, consistently clean |
| Chongqing | Moderate–Poor | Winter | Basin geography; improving |
Frequently Asked Questions
For your full health preparation checklist, return to Is China Safe for Tourists? For packing the right gear, see our China packing list.