Motorists in Beijing navigate through a severe sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

A man riding a bicycle covers his nose during a sandstorm in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Tourists who came to watch the flag-lowering ceremony at Tiananmen Square in the afternoon wear masks to protect themselves from a sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

People in Beijing wear masks and grimace during a sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

A tourist in Tiananmen Square uses part of his jacket to cover his nose and mouth during a sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Tourists in Tiananmen Square use paper to cover their faces during a sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Tourists cover their faces after a sudden sandstorm swept through Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

A police officer in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square wears a mask during a sudden sandstorm on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Tourists take photographs of a flag-lowering ceremony in Tiananmen Square at the height of a sandstorm in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Li Hao/GT