Tourists visit Beijing attractions despite heavy smog

Visitors climb the Great Wall in Yanqing district, northwest of Beijing, on Feb 11, 2016, despite heavy smog. [Photo/IC]

Beijing was under a blanket of smog Thursday as a fireworks spree during Spring Festival (China's Lunar New Year) drove up the PM2.5 reading to 250 mg per cubic meter.

Large numbers of holiday travelers were still seen in attractions like the Great Wall and Tian'anmen Square despite the haze.

China has a tradition of ushering in a Lunar New Year by setting off fireworks, which is believed to drive away evil spirits and fuel a festive atmosphere. Beijing, a city that has a fireworks ban, only allows fireworks for the Lunar New Year celebrations, which last from Feb 3 to 12 this year.