Visitors enjoy hotpot in Hohhot's Yuquan district, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Jan 19. [Photo/nm.people.com]

Crowds of visitors flocked to the Yuquan district in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region to enjoy a snowfield hotpot festival last week.

Visitors enjoyed a bowl of hotpot on a snow-covered landscape as steam filled the air.

According to the government, the festival was first held last year, attracting thousands of diners from across the country, giving tourists a unique experience of eating hotpot outside surrounded by snow.

The festival will last until the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb 5. During the period, visitors can enjoy free hotpot every Saturday.

In addition to hotpot, visitors can also enjoy a costume show and activities such as short video competitions.

Wei Yuefei, deputy director of the tourism department in Yuquan district said that the district, as a major tourist area in Hohhot, plans to organize a series of activities including a snowmobile race and bumper cars, hoping to attract visitors interested in winter tourism from across the country.

Hohhot, where temperatures can drop as low as -28 C, is famous for its winter celebrations, with a series of winter activities held all winter long.

Visitors have fun in Hohhot's Yuquan district, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Jan 19. [Photo/nm.people.com]