At the opening ceremony of the 5th Ice and Snow Festival on Jan 5, 2021 in Shulan, Northeast China's Jilin province, 100 residents and tourists joined in a traditional winter activity that involves flinging hot water into the freezing cold air. [Photo by Han Junhong/chinadaily.com.cn]

At the opening ceremony of the 5th Ice and Snow Festival on Tuesday in Shulan, Northeast China's Jilin province, 100 residents and tourists joined in the traditional winter activity of flinging hot water into the freezing cold air.

Participants tossed hot water in pots at the same time as the temperature dropped to -20 C, creating a spectacular scene as the water instantly froze into icy arcs and what appeared to be spiky clouds.