In Harbin, a city in northeast China known for its bitterly cold winters, a group of dedicated swimmers takes part in a daily ritual despite freezing temperatures. Around a dozen swimmers, who train year-round, venture into the icy waters of the Songhua River. To prepare, they break through the 10-centimeter thick ice that forms overnight and clear the debris to create a small swimming pool, approximately 10 meters long. The swimmers are unfazed by the freezing temperatures, choosing to continue their practice no matter how cold it gets.
For many participants, winter swimming is a longstanding passion. Chen Xia, a swimmer from Zhejiang province, traveled over 1,000 kilometers to join the practice in Harbin. Despite being sick with a cold, she braved the freezing waters, commenting that the cold in Harbin was far more intense than in her warmer home city. Chen, who has been involved in winter swimming for nearly 20 years, found the experience to be both challenging and invigorating, leaving her with a sense of bliss despite the extreme conditions.
The tradition of winter swimming in Harbin has deep roots, tracing back to the 1970s when locals witnessed Russian Orthodox Christians performing baptisms in the frigid waters. Inspired by this, the practice began to grow in popularity, and in 1983, the Harbin Winter Swimming Association was founded. The city has since become a hub for winter swimmers, and the practice is regarded as a cultural staple. The city is also famous for its annual winter festival, which features stunning ice and snow sculptures, adding to the unique charm of Harbin in the coldest months.
Yu Xiaofeng, a 61-year-old Harbin local, shared how winter swimming has provided a sense of community and joy for over 30 years. She noted that many swimmers believe the sport helps them maintain better health compared to others, especially after the pandemic. As a result, the swimmers adopted the slogan: “Rather suffer through winter swimming than line up at the hospital,” suggesting that they see winter swimming as a way to stay healthy and avoid illness.
For 76-year-old You Decang, winter swimming has become an essential part of his life. He explained that the practice has kept him healthy, and he has never caught a cold. He shared that missing even a single day of winter swimming makes him feel uncomfortable, underscoring how crucial the sport is to his daily routine. You, like others in the group, find that the sport offers not only physical benefits but also a deep sense of satisfaction and connection to the community of fellow winter swimmers.