Updated: 2008-02-05 19:31

A general view of a village near Pingshi, 320 km (199 miles) north of China's southern city of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, two days before the Lunar New Year of the Rat February 5, 2008. [Agencies]

An electricity pole is covered in ice at a village near Pingshi, 320 km (199 miles) north of China's southern city of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, two days before the Lunar New Year of the Rat February 5, 2008. [Agencies]

Vegetables are covered with ice at a village near Pingshi, 320 km (199 miles) north of China's southern city of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, two days before the Lunar New Year of the Rat February 5, 2008.  [Agencies]

A man carries a gas tank through mist at a village near Pingshi, 320 km (199 miles) north of China's southern city of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, two days before the Lunar New Year of the Rat February 5, 2008. [Agencies]