Air Quality Index (AQI) in China 🇨🇳

Live Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 Levels in China

Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Beijing, the capital of China, is measured at a score of 228. According to the US EPA health standard, this air quality rating is categorized as Very Unhealthy. The current atmosphere in Beijing is influenced by a PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentration of 152.3 µg/m³ and PM10 levels recorded at 157.9 µg/m³. Monitoring of gaseous pollutants shows Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at 68.4 µg/m³.

Beyond the primary urban hubs, atmospheric conditions and smog levels fluctuate across China based on industrial output, traffic density, and local weather patterns. Real-time pollution data and respiratory health alerts are also being actively monitored in cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Tianjin. Tracking these air quality metrics is essential for residents nationwide to manage outdoor exposure and maintain respiratory safety during periods of increased particulate concentration.

Air Quality Snapshot: China Right Now

Across 100 monitored cities in China, live air quality currently ranges from a low of 33 AQI in Kunming (the cleanest air right now) to a high of 242 AQI in Chongqing (the most polluted). By US EPA health band, the nationwide distribution stands at 3 Good, 40 Moderate, 23 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, 29 Unhealthy, 5 Very Unhealthy. The average fine-particulate (PM2.5) concentration across these cities is 49.3 µg/m³ — approximately 9.9 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 µg/m³.

China Air Quality: Major Cities Index

Pollution Monitor & AQI Forecast: China Regions

* Air Quality Index (AQI) data for China is calculated using the US EPA standard. Information is processed from multiple monitoring stations detecting PM2.5, PM10, and gaseous pollutants to ensure accuracy for respiratory health planning.

What Today's Readings Mean in China

The median reading across 100 monitored cities is 120.0 AQI. The national spread is 209 points, from 33 in Kunming to 242 in Chongqing. Average PM2.5 is 49.3 µg/m³ (9.9× the WHO annual guideline).

At least one monitored location is Very Unhealthy or Hazardous. Avoid outdoor exertion in the affected city and follow local public-health advice.

See the complete AQI and pollutant reference scales

Health & Scientific Resources

→ How to read US EPA Air Quality Index before going outside → Understanding Air Quality Index levels and what they mean → When haze forms and what it does to air quality

Air Quality in China — FAQ

Common questions about AQI levels, pollutants, and data sources for China.

What is the current air quality in China?

Live AQI readings for 100 city(ies) across China are listed above on the US EPA 0-500 scale.

Where does China's AQI data come from?

Real-time readings come from ground-based monitoring stations operated by national environmental agencies in China, delivered via WeatherAPI.com and aggregated using the EPA AQI formula.

What is a healthy AQI value in China?

On the EPA scale used worldwide, 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and 301-500 is Hazardous. The WHO 24-hour PM2.5 guideline is 15 μg/m³.

Why do AQI readings vary between cities in China?

Air quality is highly local — major pollution sources (traffic, industry, dust, wildfires) cluster around cities, while wind direction and topography move them around. Comparing nearby readings on this page is the best way to see how conditions change across China.