Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Liu Mengmeng, Correspondent Ming Wei) news: In this snowy winter, Xinjiang has once again attracted visitors with its winter tourism resources. A variety of new ice and snow events besides skiing and skating have been created and promoted in recent years, such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow jumping, snow splashing, ice carving and others, lighting up tourists' enthusiasm for ice-and-snow activities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Let’s ride in horse-drawn sleighs and gallop on the snow! In the past, a sleigh was a kind of transportation vehicle. Now, riding on a sleigh has become an engaging traditional sport and cultural activity suitable for young and elderly people. "Tourists like to ride in horse-drawn sleighs," Nasy Maheboz, a villager from Kuoketielieke Village, Tuerhong Township, Fuyun County, has been engaged in horse-drawn sleigh riding in the scenic area for four years, and has received tourists from Guangdong, Shanghai, Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, and other places.

Photo shows a horse-drawn sleigh ride competition. (Photo by Seyerk Muhush)

In Hemu Village of Kanas scenic spot, snow jumping has become one of the hottest snow and ice entertainment projects in winter every year. On the first day of New Year every year, Hemu Village holds the "Snow Splashing Carnival". Tourists with a playful spirit could jump into the thick snow from a safe height, and be instantly "drowned" by the soft white snow, which is really a fun game in winter.

After jumping into the snow, the naughty tourists could also throw snow at people around them, "We were expressing our wishes for New Year to each other in this way, " Zhou Xiaojun, a tourist from Shanghai, who would spend a few days in Hemu Village every year to enjoy a different kind of New Year here.

Photo shows horse-drawn sleigh ride activity. (Photo by Muheit Hanbar)

In addition to snow jumping and snow splashing, you can also experience sports such as snowmobiling and hot air ballooning in Kanas, as well as folklore performances such as ancient fur skiing competitions, the Kyz kuu (a traditional Kazak entertainment),the Buzkashi（horseback competition for possession of a goat）, horse racing and other folklore performances.

Ice sculptor Song Lizhi and his colleagues would create various ice sculptures for the ice and snow tourism festival held by Barkol Kazak Autonomous County every year, "Last year, we built the ice sculptures of the Chinese zodiac tiger, Monkey King and other 20 ice sculptures and more than 300 meters long Ice Light Avenue. We set the lights on the ice. At night, the ice sculptures become dazzling when the lights turn on. This year's ice sculptures are in design as well."

Photo shows ice sculptors cut the ice for making ice sculptures. (File photo)

In recent days, the Thousand-Buddha Caves scenic spot in Jimsar County has been doing the final debugging for dozens of snow entertainment projects, such as snow surfing, snow roller balls, ice sleighs, and figure skating to welcome guests from various places. "Thousand-Buddha Caves Ice and Snow Park has been in operation for more than three years, this year we have a brand new remodeling of the field and equipment, so that tourists can enjoy the fun of ice and snow," said Zhang Lin, head of the Thousand-Buddha Caves scenic spot.

Tianshan Tomur scenic spot, more than 70 kilometers away from downtown Aksu，is located at the foot of Tomur Peak. The Snow Hotpot Festival in this place attracted many tourists. Tourists can experience snow tubing, snowmobiling, snow horse racing, ice and snow photography, intangible cultural heritage and cultural products displayed, and enjoy the unique charm of ice and snow culture.

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