GUIDE, China, Jan. 5 (Xinhua ) -- The fourth International Limit Challenging Race of Winter Swimming across Yellow River started in northwest China's Qinghai Province on Sunday.

Being hosted in Guide County at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest altitude swimming race has attracted 44 swimmers from France, Belarus, Iceland, Russia, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Ukraine and host China.

Low water temperature, high altitude, thin oxygen and long swimming distance all blended well, making Guide an ideal place to host international winter swimming race.

The race has attracted swimming enthusiasts from home and abroad every year.