More than 3,000 swimmers braved the chilly waters in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Wednesday to kick off the new year with an invigorating dip.

The swimmers, ranging in age from 8 to 79, represented 72 teams from across the nation, with athletes traveling from Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces and Shanghai.

The swimming event took place along the banks of the Yongjiang River, known locally as the "Mother River".

Organizers implemented stringent safety measures for the event, deploying 120 rescue paddle boards, 60 safety personnel and a medical team to ensure the well-being of all participants.