Swimmers are testing their will power with a daily dip in one of China's coldest cities.

The group, many of them senior citizens, gather to take a brisk swim in the icy waters of the Songhua River in Harbin.

Tourists from all over the country who have come for the annual ice festival cheer them on.

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province on the edge of Siberia, is one of China's coldest areas where winter temperatures can drop to -35C.

One of the swimmers, 54-year-old Yang Fugui, said: "It is a great test for my will power, and I feel very happy after winter swimming, and my health improves after it. I have not caught a cold for a long time."

Wang Haibo, a tourist from southern Jiangsu province, said: "Look at us, wearing so many clothes, we still feel cold. They are very brave to jump into the river. I really admire that."

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