A rare sun dog, an atmospheric optical display that creates the illusion of multiple suns, lit up the skies over north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday.

Residents of Ergun City were treated to a spectacular sight as three bright “suns” appeared side by side, each rimmed with large, shimmering halos that turned the winter sky into a scene of otherworldly beauty.

Experts say sun dogs occur when sunlight is refracted through perfectly aligned, hexagonal ice crystals high in the atmosphere. The phenomenon typically appears during cold spells with stable air pressure, abundant moisture and layered clouds; conditions common in the high-latitude Ergun City during winter.

Often celebrated for its pristine snowscapes and serene wilderness, Ergun City once again lived up to its reputation as a natural haven, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse of one of nature’s most captivating light shows.

Source: China Central Television