Freezing temperatures and snow have transformed several famed mountains and scenic spots in China into striking winter landscapes, drawing tourists despite sub-zero conditions.
In central China's Hunan Province, the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park was blanketed in snow on Monday, with rime and drifting clouds creating a dramatic panorama. At more than 1,500 meters above the sea level, trees glistened under layers of frost, drawing visitors who stopped to capture the scene on camera.
Similar views were reported at the Daqingshan scenic spot in east China's Shandong Province, where rime-coated pine needles were turned to jade-like sculptures and mountain ridges were layered in silver.
The high-altitude areas in the Jiuhua Mountain in east China's Anhui Province also reported rare rime in recent days, with trees and grasses encased in ice crystals, attracting hikers and sightseers.
But cold weather has brought hazards elsewhere in China.
Thick fog descended on Manas County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China, on Monday morning, reducing visibility to less than 200 meters and in some areas below 50 meters, according to local authorities. Police forces were deployed to manage traffic.
In central Henan Province, a cold snap brought a rare advection fog to Huaiyang district of Zhoukou City, with clouds drifting among tall buildings to create what residents likened to a "castle in the sky."
Snow fell on the Mount Lushan in Jiangxi Province, east China, from Sunday afternoon, softening the rugged peaks and rendering the famed misty mountain in ink-wash painting before tapering off on Monday.
Rime, snow turn mountains, scenic spots into winter attractions
