Intense winds and the risk of sandstorms led Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and shut down public parks on Saturday, as powerful gusts toppled trees, damaged older homes, and crushed vehicles throughout the capital.
By 2:00 p.m., 693 flights had been cancelled at Beijing’s two major international airports—Beijing Capital and Daxing—with authorities warning of further severe weather, particularly in northern and coastal regions.
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Additional flight and train services were cancelled elsewhere across China. Some areas experienced their strongest winds in over 75 years, with gusts reaching up to 148 kilometres per hour (92 mph).
In Beijing, Universal Studios theme park was shut down through at least Sunday. Prominent landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven were also closed. Football matches and other outdoor activities have been suspended.
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The strong winds and sandstorms stem from China’s arid north, where the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts are surrounded by grasslands, mountains, and forests. For decades, China has attempted to mitigate the effects of sandstorms, especially in Beijing, which lies on the edge of this dry region. These storms can drastically reduce visibility, fill buildings and clothing with sand, and cause significant irritation to the eyes, nose, and ears.