A dense fog engulfed Shenyang in Northeast China’s Liaoning province on the evening of Jan 17, transforming the city into a scene reminiscent of a traditional Chinese fairytale.

The fog started to set after snow stopped during the afternoon. At 7:47 pm, the Shenyang Meteorological Service released a red fog warning, the highest in a three-level system rating visibility. It was anticipated that there would be heavy fog with visibility lower than 50 meters between 5pm on Jan 17 and 9am the following day.

When the fog was at its peak, the view from high-rise buildings in the city resembled that of a fairyland found in typical traditional Chinese fantasy literature, with the city's modern skyline largely blurred by the misty veil.

A dense fog engulfs Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

A dense fog engulfs Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

A dense fog engulfs Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

A dense fog engulfs Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

A dense fog engulfs Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan 17. [Photo/Xinhua]