The China Smog meme typically utilizes photographs of major Chinese metropolitan areas, most notably Beijing, during periods of extreme hazardous air pollution. These images, which often look like scenes from a post-apocalyptic movie or the horror game Silent Hill, became internet famous in the early 2010s as the country's rapid industrialization led to recurring 'airpocalypses.' Social media users began pairing these eerie, low-visibility photos with ironic captions about 'clear skies' or comparisons to fictional dystopias. Today, the template is widely used to comment on environmental issues, urban living conditions, or simply to express the feeling of being overwhelmed by a foggy, confusing, or hazardous situation.