A delegation of 188 members from 28 universities in Taiwan, including Feng Chia University, National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, National Tsing Hua University, and National Chengchi University, was amazed by a group of winter swimmers in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China’s Jilin province.

Students from Taiwan pose for photos with winter swimmers in Changchun, capital city of Northeast China’s Jilin province on Dec 21, 2014. [Photo by Li Ziqiang/Changchun Evening News]

It was the first time for most of these students to watch swimming on such a chilly day, with temperature as low as minus 23 degrees Celsius.

They surrounded the swimmers after they got back to the bank. Ye Tingyan, a student from Shih Chien University, squeezed into the crowd, taking photos with these brave souls.

"I will show these photos to my classmates, or they simply won’t believe it," Ye said.

The temperature in Taiwan ranges from 20 degrees Celsius on average, to eight degrees Celsius in the coldest month.

"I heard that it’s really cold in Changchun, but this was beyond my imagination," a student surnamed Li said.

It was one of the activities during their winter camp, which also includes academic exchanges, and parties, as well as visiting families and tourist destinations in the city.

They have paid a visit to the Puppet Imperial Palace in Changchun and will go to the Jingyuetan ski resort and try their hand at snow sculptures and ice lanterns there.

The camp, which was initiated by Jilin University in 2002, has seen a steady growth in participation from 62 members to this year’s 188, made up of 17 teachers and 171 students.

In the past 12 years, Jilin University has received more than 1,900 Taiwan students and teachers, and signed agreements on exchange programs for both students and professors, with 30 colleges and universities in Taiwan.