Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Jazira Nisbek) news: On January 5, 2024, Zhaosu County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, held a promotion event for Tianma Ice and Snow Tourism Festival in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The first Tianma Ice and Snow Tourism Festival will be held at the Zhousu Wetland Park, Zhaosu County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, on January 14, 2024. At the opening ceremony of the festival, three original songs will be premiered, along with a hundred-person dance "Cold Dew" and programs such as "Ili horses galloping in the snow."

Photo taken on January 5, 2024 shows a cultural troupe from Zhaosu County preform folk songs at the promotion event for Tianma Ice and Snow Tourism Festival in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Jazira Nisbek)

To promote local ice and snow tourism resources, Zhaosu County will hold folklore activities such as the Kyz kuu (a traditional Kazak entertainment), the Buzkashi (horseback competition for possession of a goat), and horse racing, as well as ice and snow activities like ice biking, snow tubing, spinning tops, and ice plowing along with offering tourists characteristic food. Various activities allow visitors to appreciate the beauty of ice and snow while experiencing the rich local cultural characteristics.

Meanwhile, an ice and snow park will be built, including ice sculptures on the gate tower, lantern ice columns and horse-shaped ice sculptures, as well as an ice hanging maze and a 100-meter ice slide, the longest ice slide in Xinjiang. Zhaosu County will also host the Snow Football Competition of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the 7th Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture Snow Football Competition, where selected outstanding football teams will represent Xinjiang in national snow football competitions. It will also host the 2024 National Ice Sailing Open Championship and Xinjiang's first Yuhu Ice Sailing Competition, inviting domestic and international ice sailing athletes to participate.

Photo taken on January 5, 2024 shows an unveiling ceremony themed "Tianshan Snow Capital, China’s Zhaosu" at the promotion event for Tianma Ice and Snow Tourism Festival in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Jazira Nisbek)

With 300,000 fans, internet celebrity Li Yang said when promoting his hometown Zhaosu, "I have shown the beauty of Zhaosu to netizens through my livestreaming, and many fans have said they want to come and see it for themselves. This year's ice and snow tourism festival sincerely invites everyone to come to Zhaosu."

According to the deputy secretary of the Zhaosu County Party Committee and county governor Abilian Ablihayir, Zhaosu County will continue to promote the integrated development of multiple industries such as "ice and snow + sports", "ice and snow + culture", "ice and snow + tourism", "ice and snow + horse industry", so that ice and snow resources can create economic value. Everyone is welcome to visit as guests.

On December 19, 2023, at the second China Meteorological Tourism Industry Development Conference, Zhaosu County was awarded the honorary title of "Tianshan Snow Capital, China’s Zhaosu" and the unveiling ceremony was held at the promotion.

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