Despite freezing winter temperatures across China, the nation's homeless are hesitant to stay in local government shelters.

The guarantees of warmth and food at shelters have failed to lure the homeless, as many prefer to beg for money or collect garbage out on streets, said experts. Many homeless also enjoy their independence.

Ma Li, director of a center for homeless children in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, said it isn't easy to get homeless children into the center.