Ice cascade appears in northwestern China

Spring water at Helan Mountain in the autonomous Ningxia Hui region has frozen early this year, leaving a stunning ice cascade in its wake.

Temperatures have plunged in northwestern China in recent weeks, snap-freezing a 70 metre waterfall. 

Each year, the frozen cascade attracts adventure-seeking ice climbers from across the region.

This year, the local government has invited professional coaches to guide the public through safe climbing routes, and give citizens a chance to give glacier climbing a go. 

Wang Xuyang of the Yinchuan management office says only those with skills and experience are encouraged to climb the ice.

"This is an extreme sport, very dangerous," he says.