On January 18, 2025, the 18th Ulungur Lake Cultural and Tourism Festival of Winter Fishing in Altay Prefecture is set to open. Traditional lake-worshipping ceremonies, folk blessing activities, winter fishing net demonstrations, winter market visits, and intangible cultural heritage performances are among the 14 events that will take place during the festival.

What is the winter fishing festival?

Winter fishing refers to the practice of catching fish during the winter season, which helps meet the dietary needs of residents in the north. Every winter, various localities in Xinjiang hold winter fishing festivals, allowing people to experience up close the awe-inspiring sight of tons of wild fish being hauled out of the water in one net. In addition to fishing activities, the festival also includes ice sports competitions and folk art performances. These events showcase the local respect for nature and the wish for a bountiful fish harvest in the coming year, further highlighting the unique charm of Xinjiang's ice and snow culture.

What are the characteristics of winter fishing festivals in Xinjiang?

The Ulungur Lake Winter Fishing Festival in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, began in 2005. The winter fishing here is rich in the charm of the northwest and the flavor of the horseback-riding ethnic groups, exuding the allure of a fishing and hunting culture. During the festival, activities such as lake-worshipping ceremonies, folk blessing activities, winter market visits, ice and snow fun, and fish banquets are held.

Winter large-scale net fishing on ice, as a traditional fishing method of Ulungur Lake, has a history of over 60 years. The scene is grand and can be considered a remarkable human spectacle. This type of winter fishing is currently only found in Chagan Lake in Songyuan City of northeast China's Jilin Province and Ulungur Lake in Xinjiang's Fuhai County.

During the winter fishing festival, the most thrilling moment is the first-caught fish auction. The heaviest carp caught in the first net qualifies as the "first-caught fish." Symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, the first-caught fish auction always draws a large crowd. In January 2023, at the Ulungur Lake Winter Fishing Festival, a first-caught fish measuring approximately 1.1 meters in length and weighing about 19 kilograms was sold for 428,888 yuan.

Bohu County in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture holds its winter fishing festival every January. Unlike the Ulungur Lake Winter Fishing Festival, the Bosten Lake Winter Fishing Festival primarily involves ice fishing through drilling holes in the ice, a practice with a history of several decades in the area. They follow a "catch and release" method, where only fish of a certain size are caught, while smaller ones are released back into the lake to continue growing, thus maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

In addition, the Bosten Lake Winter Fishing Festival integrates the characteristics of "ice and snow + intangible cultural heritage + folk customs + sports." It features activities such as snowfield horse racing and a large-scale fish feast on the ice, as well as folk performance activities like ice fishing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and sheep grabbing. There are also folk performances like Saurden and Meshrep, allowing people to experience the charm of Xinjiang's intangible cultural heritage and ice and snow resources.

The Manas County Winter Fishing Festival in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture features not only fisherman's blessings, net casting for winter fishing, and first-caught fish auctions, but also includes fun activities such as tug-of-war on snow, ice top spinning competitions, and snow hunting contests.

In the food area, visitors can taste authentic local dishes such as fish and mutton soup with naan.

The Barkol Winter Fishing Festival in Hami City employs traditional fishing methods, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of tractor-powered winch fishing.

There are many other places in Xinjiang that, through their winter fishing festivals, allow people to feel the immense joy of a bountiful harvest and the thrilling experience of life. This is the greatest charm of winter fishing festival.

It can be said that the winter fishing festival is not just a grand fishing event, but also a carnival of folk culture, conveying people's admiration and gratitude towards nature.

(Sources: CCTV News, "Xinjiang is a Nice Place," Xinjiang Radio and Television Station, Altay Lingjuli, Barkol Lingjuli, Bohu Lingjuli, Media Convergence Center of Manas County)