A shepherd keeps an eye on his sheep as a strong snowstorm raided Hami and whitened the ground, in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on October 7, 2006. (Photo: Xinhua)
 
The snow averages 30 centimeters in thickness and usher at the east Tianshan in a chilly autumn.
 
Snow has covered roofs of cottages at Hami, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on October 7, 2006. (Photo: Xinhua)
 
(CRI October 9, 2006)