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Ok, so the, uh, increased amount of dust in the air is not what residents of Beijing had hoped for when the the weather first showed signs of warming up a couple of weeks ago. But think of it this way: it’s a spa day for the lungs! People pay lots of money to have their skin exfoliated, this is like a pulmonary system exfoliation, and it’s 100% complimentary.

This dust too shall pass, and when it does, Beijing’s very brief spring season will begin. Now, everyone knows that while spring is pleasant in Beijing, it is both fleeting and a poor cousin to autumn. But we’ll take those lemons and make lemonade with them.

Anyway put away your ice skates and your skis and getting ready to head outside and engage in more seasonal sports.

Hiking/Walking Easy, obvious and inexpensive, these activities don’t get too much better. If you haven’t hiked one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China, start there. There are numerous sections, and even now with new “Wild Wall” regulations that prohibit hiking in some areas, the Wall is your oyster. Badaling is still the easiest section to reach, and while it is sometimes frowned upon for being too “new” and having too many visitors, walk 100 meters in either direction from then entrance and you’ve already dropped 80% of the crowd. Farther is Mutianyu, which has different facilities. It is also northeast of the city, rather than north-northwest, like Badaling. Way out, and you start reaching Simatai and Jinshanling, and it is possible to walk between the two in about three hours.

Another site for spring hiking is usually more popular in the autumn is the Fragrant Hills. Covering a wide area west of Beijing, two areas are perfect just after winter has ended: the Beijing Botanical Gardens, and Tan Zhe Temple. Both are fantastic spots to spend the day, hiking, picnicking, and otherwise getting some fresh air, sunshine and a little bit of exercise in a new area. Although it can be reached by bus, the Fragrant Hills are easier by car, or at least taxi. Also, because they are seen as “autumn” spots, there will be far fewer visitors in the first warm season of the year.

Some general common sense rules for hiking and walking in remote areas apply. If you are using a complex route, carry a global positioning system (GPS) unit, know how to use it, and know the route that you plan to follow. Carry a mobile phone, charge the battery, and make sure that it can be used within China. Even in rural areas mobile phone coverage is very good, but that doesn’t mean that in remote places you will be covered everywhere. If necessary, climb to higher ground to try to get an improved signal. Also, make sure you have someone to call if something goes wrong.

When visiting remote areas, carry plenty of water, the Beijing environs are exceptionally dry, so drink plenty of water. Also, carry a small first aid kit to deal with minor injuries.