Fall Weather in Beijing

So far November weather in Beijing has been very transient but dry as usual. We are having problems contolling the internal temperature of our office space as the temperatures outside fluctuates. The temperatures have been for the most part on the warm side but there was a week where it cooled off and we could not get warm enough in our apartment or office. When the temperature is in the high 50's or low 60's and sunny we cannot turn on the air conditioning in our office. We resort to opening a few windows and bear the construction noise and pollution.

During the cold spell at the end of October, we found out how the government can influence our living conditions. We discovered that the government controls heat in China. Heating does not come on until November 15th for the northern part of China. People in the south (not sure where the dividing line is) like Shanghai have no heat all year. Trust me, Shanghai can be cold as I witnessed last February.

This rule does not seem to apply to western hotels, shopping centers, or restaurants and can vary by apartment building. I think our heat came on about a week ago and I know some co-workers had their heat on at the end of October and some are still waiting until Nov 15th.

The Chinese say this is why so many people get sick around this time of the year. They really believe in controlling the internal "body heat". Many people in China wear long underwear. Most of the people have the long underwear on already even though the temperatures are still in the 50's.

The leaves are still green for the most part in Beijing. When we do get rain and wind there are leaves everywhere from the trees in our neighborhood. The "street laborers" are out there in force with long rustic looking brooms in the wind trying to sweep up the leaves. It looks like a lost battle as leaves keep blowing in the wind. I guess it keeps the large number of people employed.