A group of winter swimmers plunge into the icy Songhua River, Harbin, northeastern China's Heilongjiang. /VCG Photo

The event is held by a local group of winter swimmers to celebrate the New Year. /VCG Photo

The temperature in Harbin has dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius. /VCG Photo

In Harbin, winter swimming has been a long-standing tradition which many locals take part in. /VCG Photo