Many cities in northern China, from the northwestern province of Liaoning to the far western province of Gansu, began providing heating on Monday to cope with freezing temperatures.

The heating came four days earlier than usually in Lanzhou, provincial capital of Gansu, with the coming of an early winter.

A cold spell plunged temperatures in many northern Chinese regions by about 15 degrees Celsius in mid and late October. Many provinces have even had their first snowfall.

"The summer was unusually hot, while the cold wave came so early. It felt like there was no autumn," said Qing Ling, a resident in Lanzhou. "I even had to wear a down coat at home late last month."

The National Climate Center said there would be larger temperature swings in most of China this winter and also the possibility of lower-than-normal temperatures in some regions.

Eleven cities in Liaoning and the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture also switched on their heating system Monday.

Further, authorities in Liaoning have stockpiled 60 percent of 19 million tonnes of thermal coal for the heating season and another 820,000 tonnes as emergency reserves.