A group of swimmers exercises breaststroke swimming with temperatures below 30 C in Genhe River of Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo by Cai Guang/ for chinadaily.com.cn] 

Temperatures recently plunged to as low as -30 C in Ergune city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region -- but the extreme cold and piercing winds sweeping the land couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of winter swimming enthusiasts.

An intrepid enthusiast does a breaststroke in the Genhe River. [Photo by Cai Guang/ for chinadaily.com.cn]

This man rises to the challenge, swimming while the temperature is below 30 C. [Photo by Cai Guang/ for chinadaily.com.cn]

On the contrary, many were keen to brave the icy water and take a dive into the Genhe River there to show off their winter swimming skills.

Winter swimming enthusiasts strip off and get ready to take the plunge into the Genhe River. [Photo by Cai Guang/ for chinadaily.com.cn]