The children interact with penguins. (Photo: Xinhua)

In recent days, the irresistible charm and vibrant costumes of 11 preschoolers adorned in eye-catching vibrant orange down coats have captured the hearts of Chinese netizens, leaving them enamored by their adorable appeal.

Dubbed affectionately the "Little Sugar Tangerines," the 11 preschoolers, aged 3 to 6 years old, hail from the bountiful land of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, renowned for its abundant sugar tangerines.

Under the guidance of three nurturing teachers, these brave youngsters embarked on an extraordinary 10-day expedition covering more than 3,500 kilometers from their hometown to the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin in China. 

The children wearing penguin-like hats meet with penguins at Harbin Polar Park in Harbin. (Photo: Xinhua)

Harbin, the enchanting ice city and capital of Heilongjiang Province, has recently gained widespread recognition on the Internet as people from southern regions eagerly flocked to enjoy the exhilarating winter wonderland of ice and snow. They gladly shared their experiences online, highlighting the genuine warmth, kindness and meticulous attention to detail they encountered from the locals.

As the adorable children, with their little suitcases in tow, shuffled in a neat line at Harbin airport, they instantly captured the hearts of netizens. From that moment on, wherever they ventured, they ignited a frenzy on social media platforms, gathering many admirers eager to follow their northern adventure and hear all about their escapades.

The 11 kids from the south had a great time in Harbin, visiting sights such as the Harbin Ice-Snow World, Saint Sophia Cathedral and Harbin Polar Park. The kids even rolled and played in the snow, displaying their contagious delight. 

The children at the Harbin Ice-Snow World. (Photo: Agencies)

After enduring a 20-hour train journey from Harbin, the intrepid travelers reached Mohe on January 3, marking their arrival at the northernmost city of China. They were greeted by a staggering temperature difference of almost 60 degrees Celsius compared to their hometown of Guangxi. 

In this frigid location, they received a heartwarming welcome from the locals and garnered the attention and support of a virtual audience on social media. The live stream, hosted by China Fire and Rescue in Mohe, attracted over 200,000 viewers eagerly anticipating the appearance of the young travelers.

The comment sections were flooded with concerns and well wishes, as viewers expressed heartfelt worries about the "Little Sugar Tangerines." Some counted the children to ensure they didn't get lost, while others fretted over their adjustment to the new environment.

The children visit China's northernmost fire and rescue station in Mohe. (Photo: China Fire and Rescue)

On Sunday, the youngsters began their new adventure to nearby Jilin Province. They were showered with affection by the locals and given gifts by a group of children dressed in blue clothes to match the color of the region's distinctive rime ice. In Jilin, the children went on a night boat excursion, tried skiing and visited several popular sights in the province.

The children check out tourist souvenirs at Lake Songhua Resort in Jilin. (Photo: Xinhua)

The children visit Yanji Dinosaur Museum in Jilin. (Photo: CNR)

On Wednesday, the 11 "Tangerines" successfully concluded their trip and safely arrived at Nanning Wuxu International Airport in Guangxi. Upon their arrival, the airport staff and their parents, who greeted them with flowers and toys as tokens of love and joy, warmly welcomed them.

The children return home safely. (Photo: Guangxi Daily)