Ten Chinese scientists have been spending their Lunar New Year in the coldest place on Earth - the Antarctic. While everyone else was watching the Spring Festival Gala on the couch, in the frozen land 17,000 kilometers away, men and women of science were gathering valuable geological samples and data.

Chinese scientists are making the country's 33rd expedition to the Antarctic. This is the first time for Chinese scientists to land and carry out a polar geological survey on the frozen continent.

"We have conducted research on both land and water with more than one ship. Now we can gather all kinds of geological data from different areas to conduct further and better scientific research," said Xiao Guiyi, China Geological Survey.

Their ship, Hai Yang Liu Hao, or Ocean Six, started her journey in July. She is one of China's youngest domestically-developed state-of-art research vessels. This is her first expedition to the South Pole.

"The weather conditions in the Antarctic waters are very unpredictable. Sometimes the ship will have to break through thin ice to move on. So this requires that the ship be equipped with capabilities to deal with such situations," Xiao said.

The Antarctic's geological conditions are extremely complicated. 98 percent of its surface is covered by snow all year round. But no matter where the scientists go, to properly celebrate China's favorite traditional holiday, dumplings are a must. 

The explorers are scheduled to leave the South Pole in a few days, for another mission in the South Pacific. Then Ocean Six will set sail for home, to arrive in Guangzhou in April.