The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Xiaohan, or Minor Cold, is the 23rd solar term, which falls on Jan 5 this year.

During Minor Cold, most areas in China have entered the bitter cold stage of winter. The ground and rivers are frozen. The cold air from the north moves southward continuously.

This year, many places across China greeted snowfall recently.

Snow scenery in E China’s Jiangsu

Photo taken on Jan. 4, 2018 shows the snow-covered Confucius Temple in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)