On October 1st, a sudden heavy snowfall hit Datong, Shanxi, covering the entire city in white. The famous Yungang Grottoes and other scenic spots were also draped in silver, creating a picturesque winter wonderland that amazed visitors.
According to Chinese weather reports, around 10 a.m. on the same day, Datong, Shanxi experienced precipitation, with the temperature dropping to 0.3°C, close to freezing point. The rain turned into snow, as evident from photos shared by netizens, showing clearly visible snowflakes.
A netizen named “Shanxi Faner” posted a video saying, “Only a while ago, it was clear skies, and suddenly within 10 minutes, a heavy snowfall started. This is the first time I’m seeing this.”
The video showed goose feather-like snowflakes falling heavily, covering the streets and alleys with a thick layer of snow. Tourist attractions like the Yungang Grottoes were also covered in silver, attracting many visitors to stop and admire, leading to moments of awe. Staff at the scenic spots commented that it was sunny just at 8 a.m. that morning.
Another netizen from Shanxi mentioned, “In less than an hour of snowing, the wind was strong, and a tree fell in the residential area.”
Some visitors commented, “Datong has frozen.”
The sudden heavy snowfall sparked discussions online, with many netizens expressing their surprise at the unpredictable weather changes. Some said, “One moment it’s sunny, then it’s snowing, and later it’s back to clear skies.” Others remarked, “The weather has been so strange this year, with a sudden drop in temperature.” Some even reminisced, “Snow in October was considered a rare event 20 years ago.” Users also shared experiences of dramatic weather changes during travel.
Amidst the discussions, there were comments questioning if the news about the snowfall was a joke or real. However, reassurances came from others who affirmed that the snow in Datong was indeed genuine. The rarity of the snowfall even caught locals off guard, with some reminiscing about this unique occurrence during the National Day holiday.
A netizen from Jilin expressed astonishment, saying, “This snow arrived earlier than in our northeast region!”