China has entered a nine-day period which is traditionally referred to as "sanjiu", the third string of nine days following the winter solstice. It's also seen by many as the coldest spell of the winter season, so before we go, let's get some images from around the country.

First we go to Mohe, China's most northern county, where temperatures are around minus-36 degrees Celsius. But this is quite normal for the locals, of course, and they're having fun making ice-arrows from hot water. While most people in this region wrap up as warm as they can, this 62-year-old man has built up a terrific resistance to the intense cold, and he has no problems running around bare-chested.

Meanwhile, animals are no different, of course, and must also find ways to beat the low temperatures. In this zoo in southwest China's Chongqing, the giraffes get as close as they can to a warm fire, while the elephants keep their energy levels up with oranges and sugar cane.