Stunning ice crystals resembling butterflies were captured on a frozen river in northern China.

The impressive video was filmed in Youyu County in Shanxi Province on December 7.

The filmer, Mr An, described the scene, noting that the weather was clear and the temperature particularly low. He was mesmerized by the sight, likening it to flowers blossoming on the ice and resembling butterflies, finding it incredibly rare and beautiful.

The formation of these ice crystals is primarily due to a sudden drop in temperature. When water vapour comes into contact with the icy surface, it rapidly condenses into these ice flowers.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

12月7日，山西右玉，安先生拍摄到在冰冻的河面上“开出”冰花的自然奇观。安先生介绍，当时的天气比较晴朗，气温也很低，看到这个画面感觉很美，像冰面上开出的花朵一样，又像一只只蝴蝶，觉得很稀奇。
据了解，冰花奇观形成的原因，主要是由于气温骤降，水蒸气碰到冰面会迅速凝结成冰花，随着气温不断升高而逐渐消融。冰花奇观为寒冷的冬季增添了一抹独特的色彩。