As winter deepens in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Xingkai Lake in Mishan City has begun to reveal its seasonal spectacle. The vast body of water is only partly frozen for now, but shifting temperatures and steady winds have sculpted the ice into striking formations that resemble gleaming “dragon scales”. From above, the lake appears patterned with countless shapes and textures, each section reflecting the slow, steady progression of the freeze.

Large sheets of ice crack, overlap and pile upon one another, creating layered ridges that stretch across the lake’s wide expanse. The scene has quickly become a draw for visitors, who come to admire the mesmerising patterns and capture the lake’s unique winter beauty.

Source: China Central Television