Snowflakes fall on St Sophia Cathedral and Sophia Square in Harbin, Heilongjiang on November 8, 2023. /IC
An aerial photo taken on November 8, 2023, shows people on the snow-covered Sophia Square in Harbin, Heilongjiang. /IC
A bird's-eye view of St Sophia Cathedral shows people gathering at Sophia Square in Harbin, Heilongjiang on November 8, 2023. /IC
A couple dresses up and poses for pictures at Sophia Square in Harbin, Heilongjiang on November 8, 2023. /IC
A bird's-eye view of St Sophia Cathedral shows people gathering at Sophia Square in Harbin, Heilongjiang on November 8, 2023. /IC
An icon of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, St Sophia Cathedral has been blanketed in crisp white snow, as northeast China experienced early winter snowfall. A magical world of snowflakes and light unfolded at the city's Sophia Square, with residents and tourists coming out to play below the spires and domes of the famous church, which is understood to be the largest Eastern Orthodox church building in far east Asia. The heavy snowfall comes as China marks the start of Lidong, or the Beginning of Winter solar term.