Shanghai usually doesn't see a lot of snow. But it's currently under a yellow alert - the third highest for snowstorms. Already, some 20 flights have been canceled at the city's two airports. But the cold hasn't dampened the mood for many in Shanghai - who are happy to see the rare snowfall. Li Jianhua has this report.  

LI JIANHUA SHANGHAI "Here I am in Shanghai. This place is usually in the news because it's one of the world's financial centers. But this time, it's the snow. If you are from northern China, Canada or Russia, this is not a big deal. But for Shanghai, here on the east coast of China, this is totally something else. The snow isn't dry enough to make a snowman, but people still like coming out to enjoy the white stuff. Earlier, I talked to some locals to find out what they think of the first snow in Shanghai this year."

"The last time I saw heavy snow in the south of China was almost a decade ago - there was a big snowstorm. People in Shanghai are happy to see the snow and I've come out today to take some photos. There's a saying: Timely snow foretells a bumper harvest."

"It snowed yesterday in Shanghai, so I'd like to come to the Bund and see a different side of the city. You don't get to see seagulls here, but today there are many of them."

"It hardly ever snows here in Shanghai. The roads are very slippery, so we need to be careful driving."

"Local authorities have taken some measures to prevent road accidents. Chief among them, cutting the speed limit on the overpasses from 100 to 60 and 80 kilometres an hour. The accident rate on the overpasses dropped by 60 percent, while some minor traffic accidents increased by 45 percent on the roads. But the people from Shanghai are still excited to see something different. LJH, CGTN, SHANGHAI."