Beijing's smog has been particularly horrendous this year. Clear days like this one are photo-celebration worthy. Check out the contrast between the good days and the bad.
CY Xu/cnn
One fine day —
Even in Beijing, glorious days like this one come along once in a while. All photos in this gallery were taken August 29.
Jaime FlorCruz/cnn
The sad truth —
It's uncommon to be able to see buildings in the distance through the usual smog.
Jaime FlorCruz/cnn
Rare sight —
Travelers to Beijing this year will marvel at the clear skies in this photo.
Jaime FlorCruz/cnn
About time —
Last July, China unveiled The Action Plan for Air Pollution Control (2013--2017), which calls for 1.7 trillion yuan ($230 billion) to be spent in air pollution controls over the next five years.
Jaime FlorCruz/cnn
To more transparency —
Cleaner air will mean the return of travelers who were put off by the city's bad air this year.
Jaime FlorCruz/cnn
To the top —
What the Great Wall should look like every day.
Steven Jiang/CNN
Blame it on the geography —
One of the main reasons for the city's pollution is the geography, as the city is surrounded by mountains like a horseshoe, which means pollution gets blown in, builds up and remains stagnant over the capital on windless days.
Steven Jiang/CNN
Finding a solution —
In addition to the government, the number of institutions and individuals looking for a solution is increasing.
Steven Jiang/CNN
Longing for clear skies —
On certain days in Beijing, people can barely see or breathe.
