It’s wintertime in China. Far from gloom, winter in China is beautiful. As Song poet Lu You describes, in early winter, “color adorns before leaves wither away, fragrance enchants as buds remain still.” Nearly 1,000 years later, the winter view in China still awes spectators from north to south.

The winter view in Arxan, a northeastern border city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is composed of ice-free river, a glowing forest highway and fairly tale-like urban landscape.

The winter view in Arxan, a northeastern border city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is composed of ice-free river, a glowing forest highway and fairly tale-like urban landscape.

The winter view in Arxan, a northeastern border city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is composed of ice-free river, a glowing forest highway and fairly tale-like urban landscape.

Changchun, the capital city of Jilin province, welcomed its first snow this year on November 13.

A panoramic view of Beiling park in Shenyang was captured on Nov. 15 after snow fell.

The Hexigten area becomes marvelous as dusk falls on snow-covered stones.

Nature and human life co-exist harmoniously along the Keriya river in the Taklamakan Desert.

The Taihang mountain area in Hebei province embraces village, farmland and driveway on a peaceful early winter day.

Also in Hebei, workers in the Caofeidian area by Bohai Bay busy themselves by reaping straw to feed animals.

In Qinghai province, snow-capped mountains and deep lakes encounter the white clouds and the blue sky.

In Qinghai province, snow-capped mountains and deep lakes encounter the white clouds and the blue sky.

Snow put a magical air on the Qinling Mountain area in Shanxi province.

Snow put a magical air on the Qinling Mountain area in Shanxi province.

As birds migrate south, provinces in China become a paradise for beautiful feathered elves like swans in winter.

As birds migrate south, provinces in China become a paradise for beautiful feathered elves like swans in winter.

Colors splash on the forests along the Yangtze River, as boats traverse the greenish-blue waters.

Winter unfolds in southwest China’s Napa Lake nature reserve.

Hongcun Village in Anhui becomes a Chinese painting scroll in winter dawn light.

Picturesque beauty also enlivens Wuyuan county in Jiangxi province.

A lake in the Lushan mountain area charms visitors with its tainted ripples.

The West Lake in Hangzhou does not fail its fame by putting on a splendid winter attire. (Photos:Xinhua, compiled by Bai Shenhao)