Beijing pollution: Does it put you off traveling there?

How's this for ironic? During the week China approved a new US$11.2 billion airport to accommodate the influx of visitors in Beijing, a blanket of smog descended on the city, causing the cancellation of dozens of flights. 

It wasn't just in the capital. The South China Morning Post reported that flights were affected in nearby provinces including Hebei, Hunan, Zhejiang and Sichuan, with visibility at airports dropping to as little as 100 meters.

While Beijing rolled out a series of emergency response measures, including banning children from outdoor activities and publishing editorials about the pollution, it remains to be seen if the city's latest round of air problems -- rated a staggering 755 on the World Health Organization's hazardous particulates scale of 0 to 500 -- will affect tourism. 

Terrible travel photos won't help. Take a look at what the city's major landmarks looked like this week, before a cold wind dispersed the smog on Wednesday afternoon. 

Might pollution affect your travel plans to Beijing? Let us know in the comments below. 

More on CNN: Jaime FlorCruz: Living with the 'air-pocalypse'