After experiencing the coldest New Year's Day in 30 years, Shenzhen's temperature began climbing Monday.

The minimum temperature fell to 3.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was not only the coldest day this winter but also the coldest New Year's Day since 1974 when the mercury fell to 2.2 degrees.

Easterly winds Monday raised temperatures to between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius.

"The weather will remain dry in the near future," said a meteorological observatory spokesperson.

Over the next four days, the weather will be cloudy with temperatures ranging between 14 and 22 degrees.

The city opened 10 shelters for people seeking protection from cold weather on New Year's Day. The city's central aid station alone took in 172 people. While a small number were vagrants, most were jobseekers who had little money or people who claimed that they had been robbed or mugged.

A man surnamed Situ, 20, from Hong Kong, said he arrived in Shenzhen on Friday and lost his wallet containing his identity cards, without which he could not return to Hong Kong. At the suggestion of police, he took a bus to the aid station where he was given clothes and food. After calling his relatives from the aid station, he said they would come to Shenzhen to take him home Tuesday.

Editor: Catherine