Enjoy your congee, but watch your breath! Sunday marks Laba, a Chinese traditional festival that falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. People around the country celebrate the festival by eating Laba congee.

Congee and garlic to celebrate Laba festival

And people in northern China make Laba garlic to serve during the upcoming Spring Festival. The practice derives from the tradition of giving sacrifices to ancestors, and praying to heaven and earth for a good harvest.

China's "polar bear man" plays chess in bath of ice

Here is China's Polar Bear man. Cui Deyi from central China's Anhui province, has taken part in a Chinese chess competition, sitting in a bath full of ice wearing nothing but a pair of swimming shorts. Cui is the world record holder for winter swimming. He sat submerged for over 75 minutes in near-freezing waters off the coast of Norway in 2011.

Students practice yoga in the snow

Yoga practice in the snow. Yoga is becoming increasingly prevalent in China, but mostly in fitness centers. But how about in the snow? In Tongchuan city of Shaanxi province, brave students stretched their stuff on a ski field, at the opening ceremony of the local winter games. Thanks to their graceful movements and lovely smiles, they offered a warm welcome to athletes.

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