A rare celestial spectacle captivated residents of Genhe City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday morning, December 8, 2025, as three luminous "suns" appeared side by side on the horizon. This striking optical illusion, known as a sun dog, occurs when sunlight refracts through hexagonal ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds.
Local photographers and meteorologists reported the phenomenon lasting nearly an hour, casting an ethereal glow over the snow-covered landscape. Genhe, often called China’s "cold pole" for its extreme winter temperatures averaging -30°C, provides ideal atmospheric conditions for such rare displays.
While sun dogs are scientifically well understood, their appearance remains awe-inspiring. "This was the clearest display I’ve seen in a decade," said Zhao Wei, a Hulun Buir-based weather researcher. "It reminds us of nature’s capacity to create wonder even in the harshest environments."
The event has sparked renewed interest in atmospheric optics among social media users and travelers, with many planning winter visits to northern China’s frosty regions in hopes of witnessing similar phenomena.
