Harbin Residents Brave Subzero Temperatures for Annual Winter Swimming Tradition

Swimmers plunge into ice-carved pools in China's 'ice city,' citing health benefits and decades of tradition.

In Harbin, China, residents participate in winter swimming by diving into pools carved from the frozen Songhua River, with temperatures reaching as low as -13°C (8°F).
The annual activity is considered a long-standing tradition in Harbin, dating back to the 1970s and inspired by Russian Orthodox baptisms in the river.
Participants, some in their 60s and 70s, claim the practice boosts their health, with many reporting fewer illnesses and a sense of vitality.
The city's winter swimming association, established in 1983, has helped popularize the sport, making Harbin a hub for winter swimming enthusiasts.
Swimmers describe the experience as invigorating, with one participant likening the sensation to a full-body prickling but emphasizing the joy and community it fosters.