On January 18, 2025, the 18th Ulungur Lake Cultural and Tourism Festival of Winter Fishing kicked off in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. During winter at the vast Ulungur Lake, the winter fishing festival showcases traditional fishing methods, including digging ice caves, laying nets, and pulling fishing nets with horse-drawn winches. These activities create unique and spectacular scenes.

Each winter, once the ice on Ulungur Lake is thick enough, dozens of fishermen, dressed in sheepskin jackets and cotton caps, are ready to take to the ice. Under the leadership of Zhang Haijiang, the head fisherman, they chisel through the ice, set nets under its surface, and operate capstans pulled by horses.

"Fish!" calls out Zhang Haijiang from the lake. A large net is slowly drawn out of the ice, and amidst the cheers of the crowd, big fish are pulled onto the ice one after another.

Zhang Haijiang, a native of Xinjiang, has spent his life by the Ulungur Lake. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a fisherman, Zhang has been honing his skills since he was 17. He now runs a successful fish restaurant. Although he has moved away from the traditional fishing life of long hours, his connection to Ulungur Lake remains strong. With his rich experience in fishing and commitment to traditional fishing and hunting culture, he has earned the title of "head fisherman."

Holding this title requires exceptional fishing skills, and Zhang Haijiang's dedication to preserving the tradition of winter fishing is evident in his mastery of the craft.

"The large drag-net fishing method requires teamwork and cooperation among several participants," Zhang explained. Despite the frigid temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius, his passion for fishing remains strong.

After years of fishing in the snow, Zhang has encountered tourists from all over the country, which deepened his connection to his hometown. Thanks to his fishing endeavors, his life has become more prosperous, and the cultural and tourism reputation of Fuhai has grown significantly.

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