Many parts of China have been hit by both heavy snowfall and sustained cold temperatures. The deep freeze has caused highway closures, flight delays, and traffic jams.

Upwards of 400 people, traveling in 50 vehicles, were stranded for more than a day on a national highway in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Traffic flow ground to a complete standstill on National Highway 216, near the area's northern city of Altay.

Eight snow plows were eventually sent to the site, and the ensnared automobiles began to move again on Thursday afternoon.

The neighboring Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was also hit hard by the unforgiving weather.

More than 200,000 heads of livestock are facing food shortages.