Photos & story by: Debbie Stock
Visiting major cities in China during smoke season (pictures taken in March) amplifies the price paid for rapid growth.
Faded, soot-covered landscapes and air so thick with smog it obscures natural sunlight in major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai can make it hard to photograph, much less see the tops of high-rise buildings or even landscapes close-by.
Considered the "off season" for travel, you'll generally find better prices on flights and hotels. In the U.S. they would tell you to stay indoors to avoid breathing the unhealthful air while in China, most just go about their business as usual.