Hundreds of swimmers from around the world braved the cold and competed in the fifth International Winter Swimming Festival at the Taierzhuang ancient city on Jan 10 in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province.

More than 230 athletes participated in the event, including 23 teams from foreign countries such as Russia, Poland, Britain, France and the Czech Republic, 21 teams from domestic provinces and cities, as well as three teams from China's Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

Jointly hosted by the China liaison office of the International Winter Swimming Association, the Zaozhuang municipal bureau of sports and the Taierzhuang district government, the event was designed to promote fitness awareness and healthy living as well as to uplift the popularity and international profile of Taierzhuang ancient town.

The fifth International Winter Swimming Festival of Taierzhuang ancient city is held on Jan 10 in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]

An aerial photo taken on Jan 10 shows the racing lanes of the fifth International Winter Swimming Festival of Taierzhuang ancient city in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]

Swimmers brave the cold during the fifth International Winter Swimming Festival of Taierzhuang ancient city in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province, Jan 10, 2019. [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]