A parhelion (also known as sundog) combined with a halo was seen on top of Mount Tai on Dec 16, dazzling people in Tai'an, East China's Shandong province.

The atmospheric phenomenon is created by ice crystals in the air at low levels during a cold weather period.

"I encountered this phenomenon while on the summit of Mount Tai at 8 am. The stunning view can be seen only when the clouds are thin and there is sound light transmittance," said Liu Zuocang, a Mount Tai Nantian Gate employee.

A sundog, or solar halo, appears in the sky above Mount Tai. [Photo by Liu Zuocang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A sundog, or solar halo, appears in the sky above Mount Tai in Tai’an, Shandong province. [Photo by Liu Zuocang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The atmospheric phenomenon is created by ice crystals in the air at low levels during a cold weather period. [Photo by Liu Zuocang/chinadaily.com.cn]