Shock and excitement as big freeze brings unprecedented chill to parts of Asia

With cold weather sweeping across several parts of Asia, hundreds of flights into and out of the South Korean holiday island of Jeju had to be cancelled over the weekend. The island has been experiencing its biggest snowfall in 30 years. Across in China, there was some excitement among those who had seen snow for the very first time. “I’ve never seen snow fall in Guangzhou,” said one resident. “I’m very excited to see it. Sorry that it only lasted for twenty minutes!” Hong Kong has not escaped the big freeze either, with residents wrapping up warm against a chilly temperatures that many haven’t experienced before. At 3.3 degrees Celsius, Sunday (24 January) was Hong Kong’s coldest day since 1957.