President Xi Jinping made a surprise visit to Beijing hutong during the heavy smog of Tuesday morning, waving hello and chatting with residents.

"We breathe the same air and share the same fate," commented Sina Weibo blogger the-most-special-one.

The president, not wearing a face mask, arrived at the Nanluoguxiang Hutong, a popular tourist spot famous for its boutiques, restaurants and bars. He then visited nearby Yu'er Hutong.