Beijing has a continental climate with four seasons, as in Japan. However, its four seasons differ from Japan's in that both the winter cold and summer heat are extreme (down to minus 15°C and below in winter and up to 40°C in summer). Spring is very short. In April, flowers and young leaves blossom out of seemingly dead trees, but before you can say Jack Robinson, you are in the middle of the summer heat. "Moments" after you putting away your heavy coat, you will find yourself in a summer suit. This is the way the spring leaves Beijing, while the autumn brings you a beautiful clear sky every day. The atmosphere is refreshing, making these months the best season of the year.
The winter gives you the biggest problem. Every day, it is not just cold, but also very dry. So, the staff are always fighting a "battle against electrostatic sparks." The problem is not only with metal parts. Just approach a leafy plant and that will be enough to hit you with an electrostatic shock. Try shaking hands with a guest, and both will "spark up." A humidifier is a must, whether at home or in the office.

Just Astonishing! Traffic Manners in China

The road traffic situation in Japan is bad enough, but Beijing is never behind Japan in this respect. But what astonishes Japanese visitors to Beijing is not just the congestion.
Bad traffic manners in Beijing and many other Chinese cities are soon noticed. At any given moment, cars in front of you might suddenly change lane or cut ahead of you. Or you will find intersections completely blocked by drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians ignoring signals. It's a "free-for-all," unthinkable in Japan.
In particular, they seem to think that letting any other car cut in front of you is your fault. There is no "after-you" courtesy. The rule of everyday traffic life is to warn or threaten others by loudly honking your horn. Living in Beijing, I am keenly reminded of the reason why a car has a horn: "It is there to be honked!"

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