Hangzhou residents enjoy rare snowfall

陈小将

The beautiful snow scenery of West Lake and the surrounding scenic areas. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Residents of Hangzhou in eastern China were treated to steady snowfall on Monday, as temperatures dropped during the region's coldest period, known as Dahan, or the Great Cold.

Snowflakes began falling around 8:00 pm in the mountainous areas. By 6:00 am on Tuesday, light snow was observed along the shores of West Lake, and steadily falling flakes reached the city center at 8:45 am, creating a rare winter spectacle in a city typically known for mild winters.

Locals flocked to popular spots around West Lake and the Broken Bridge, capturing the moment with photos and enjoyed the seasonal transformation as Hangzhou was blanketed in snow.