Shiliuyun-Xinjaing Daily (Reporter Ren Jiang, Correspondent Dong Shiju) news: During the Spring Festival holiday, Xinjiang’s Altay Prefecture hosted a variety of rich cultural and tourism activities. People flocked out of their homes to enjoy the festive atmosphere, while visitors from afar immersed themselves in the holiday delights in the "Snow Capital of China." Activities included skiing at the ski resorts, experiencing a traditional and joyful Chinese New Year, ice fishing at the Ulungur Lake, and savoring hot pot in the snow.

From January 28 to February 4, 2025, Altay Prefecture received 1.2143 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 18.9 percent. The total tourist expenditure reached 863 million yuan (about 118 million U.S. dollars), up 20.02 percent year-on-year.

Photo shows the ski gear hall of the Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort in Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Dong Shiju)

During the Spring Festival holiday, ski resorts in Altay Prefecture saw a surge in popularity. On February 1, 2025 (the fourth day of the 2025 Chinese New Year), the Altay Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort set a new record for daily visitor numbers, hosting 18,000 tourists, a year-on-year increase of 128 percent. Currently, the resort's daily capacity can accommodate up to 30,000 visitors at the same time.

As ice and snow met the Spring Festival, more and more skiing enthusiasts chose to celebrate the Chinese New Year at well-equipped ski resorts, enjoying the festive atmosphere through fashionable and healthy winter sports. "This is the first time our family has spent the Spring Festival skiing here. We are all very happy, especially the children. Once they got on the skis, they obsessed about skiing. They learned to ski here and really love the resort," said Zhou Ping, a visitor from southern China’s Jiangxi Province.

Various places and scenic spots in Altay also manipulated a wide range of activities, allowing visitors to experience a unique Spring Festival in the snowy landscape.

Photo shows a winter fishing in Fuhai County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo offered by the Media Convergence Center of Fuhai County)

“Got one! Got one! It’s just too thrilling…” In winter, Altay is covered in a blanket of snow. The surface of the Ulungur Lake in the Sea Ghost City scenic spot of Fuhai County has turned into a natural ice rink. Visitors come out onto the ice, drill a hole, set up a tent, and start fishing. They experience the joy of winter fishing on Ulungur Lake, turning the cold winter ice into a bustling scene.

Photo shows an ice and snow folk custom event celebrated in Habahe County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo offered by the Media Convergence Center of Habahe County)

On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, a folk custom experience event was held in the Yegende Grassland at Baihaba Village in Tiereketi Township, Habahe County. Visitors played joyfully in the snow while savoring a hearty hot pot. The hot pot tables were set up in the snow, with charcoal fires burning in the cold. The contrast between the icy surroundings and the fragrant steam rising from the pots created a unique and delightful experience. “Watching the ceremonial bone-cracking ritual and then enjoying hot pot in the snow—this experience is simply amazing!” said Shi Qi, a visitor from southeast China’s Shanghai City.

During the Spring Festival holiday, the tourism market in Altay Prefecture saw the launch of helicopter skiing, an upgrade in transportation services, and the emergence of new tourism forms, scenes, and consumption patterns. These innovations attracted visitors from different places to come to Altay to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

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