#chinesewinter

[echineselearning-blog1]

Do you feel like January is the longest month of the year? Seems that winter goes on forever. Learn about THE HISTORY AND STROKE ORDER OF THE CHINESE CHARACTER “冬 (dōng)” = WINTER.

[awanginchina]

Survived my first Chinese winter! (5 items, in pictures)

As spring turns into summer and I prepare to face life in China’s oven, I wanted to share a few of my favorites that helped get me through the below-zero temperatures (yes, I’ve been spoiled by California weather) and >300 pm2.5 levels - aka winter in China. 

1) 3M P95 Face Mask

After trying 3M’s N95, Vogmask, Japan’s P99 (similar to the thin hospital mask you wear when you have a cold) and industrial-level gas masks, I’ve found this one to be most effective in blocking out pollutants and polluted-air smell. You can basically walk through a cloud of smoke and not smell anything.

2) Contigo canteen

So reliable. So worth the $30 on Amazon.

3) Uniqlo Texting Gloves

Purchased in Japan on my way back to China, these gloves prevent the undesirable chill resulting from having to pull my glove just enough to expose my thumb to unlock my iPhone (brrr!).

Speaking of Uniqlo... 

4) Heattech turtle neck, leggings, socks, wardrobe

Luckily, you can find a Uniqlo (优衣库) in most major Chinese cities. 

5) Olay Hydrating Moisture cream 

Perhaps it was the change in environment, the more concentrated pollution or because I only ate at 小摊 for two weeks straight, but when I first moved to Xi’an, I noticed my skin breaking out more frequently than I was used to. Following my roommates advice to treat “上火“ (shanghuo, TCM concept of too much internal heat), I stopped eating 辣椒-infused spicy foods, and tried a few local skincare products. The thing that has worked best so far is Olay’s Hydrating Moisture cream. It not only hydrates, but protects my skin from the harsh Xi’an winds and ever-present layer of “smog”. Since I’ve started using it, no more breakouts! You can pick it up at any local 超市 (supermarket) in China. I got mine from Vanguard.