Heavy snow in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region stranded more than 300 travelers Thursday as three airports were forced to close.

Airports in Yining, Tacheng and Altay, all in the northern region, were closed due to the snow that began Monday morning and continued as of 8 p.m., according to the Xinjiang Airport Group Co. Ltd. (XAG)

Residents walk in snow in Altay area in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Feb. 5, 2009. A heavy snowfall hit Altay on Thursday. Local government has sent over 100 workers to the pasturing area to help herdsmen fight against chilliness. [Liu Xinhai/Xinhua]

All the flights between Urumqi, the regional capital, and the three cities were cancelled or delayed, stranding more than 300 travelers in Urumqi International Airport, the major airport in the region.

Flight services resumed at 2 p.m. in Yining and at 4 p.m. in Tacheng as airport staff cleared snow from the runways. The Altay airport will not be reopen until 2 p.m. Friday, XAG said.