When the Chinese smog blows away the result is, beautiful.

It happens once every few epochs, but here in central China, the smog does sometimes clear, to astonishing results. The sky returns to a shade of blue one forgot was possible. The landscape regains its spectrum. The smog seems to absorb vibrant colour, the result is world of grey and cigarette faded pastels.

Today was one of those few periods of time in which I could see my surroundings clearly. I felt the need to document it in case it doesn't happen again.

The sun setting over what remains of the Yellow River market in Zhengzhou

Blue skies in Kaifeng, Qixian

Look! The sky is even blue in Beijing!

Blue skies in Luoyang

But if you go up the hill, you can start to see the smog coming back.

Luoyang almost looks like a beautiful city without all the smog.

Blue skies over one of China's many Sim City replicas

Warning: If you haven't been in China for too long, these photos wont look at all remarkable. If you're as blown back as I am, it could be time to leave Northern China.