The wetland of the Yellow River in Pinglu county, North China's Shanxi province, is entering the best period for tourists to enjoy "swan-seeing".

The wetland covers an area of 6,000 hectares at the junction of Shanaxi and Henan provinces. Over 4,000 swans now winter there, thanks to its pleasant warm climate and abundant food.

Swans swim in the water of the Pinglu Yellow River wetland on Jan 20, which is da han, or "Major Cold", the coldest time of the year under the traditional Chinese calendar. [Photo by Zhan Yan/Xinhua]