A cave painting discovered in Altay depicts ancient people skiing [Photo/Official Weibo account of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics]

Throughout history, China has maintained a deep connection with ice and snow. Beyond simply enduring the harsh cold winter conditions, the Chinese people have learned to harness, appreciate and enjoy the challenges of the season.

As the 9th Asian Winter Games unfold in Harbin, let's take a journey through ancient China's ice and snow activities and explore the enduring winter traditions that have thrived for millennia.

Skiing

An ancient cave painting discovered in Altay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, depicts human figures sliding on small platforms over slopes while herding animals. Historians estimate the painting to be between 5,000 and 10,000 years old, solidifying Altay's status as the "the ancient cradle of skiing".

In ancient China, skiing emerged as the earliest winter sport, later giving rise to ice skating. Northern fishing and hunting tribes referred to their winter skiing tools as "wooden horses", which were categorized into two types: Pedals – gliding tools used on snow, which eventually evolved into skis; and another that could glide on ice, which later evolved into ice skates.

According to historical records, Yu the Great, the legendary king known for taming prehistoric floods, traveled extensively across varied terrain. When encountering muddy terrain, he used a sled-shaped boat—short, with slightly upturned ends, allowing him to bend one leg and propel forward. Over time, this basic design was adapted and refined, eventually transforming into a key tool for ice and snow travel—the sled.

A section of the bingxi painting showcasing ice skating scene, from the collection of Palace Museum in Beijing [Photo/Official Weibo account of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics]

Ice skating

Historical records from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) reference ice skating, with the New Book of Tang describing hunters gliding across ice using wooden boards strapped to their feet in pursuit of prey.

By the Song Dynasty (960–1279), ice skating had evolved from a practical means of transportation and hunting to a recreational activity. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it gained recognition as an official court sport.

Ice skating reached new heights during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), when bingxi, an annual imperial winter activity, became a grand tradition after the winter solstice in late December.

The earliest ice skates in ancient China were primarily crafted from horse shinbones. Over time, wooden ice skates emerged, followed by wooden ice skates with iron fittings. By the late Qing Dynasty, ice skates were fully made of iron.

The ancient bingxi event scene is vividly recreated at Yuanmingyuan Park in Beijing, Jan 7, 2024. [Photo/VCG]

Bingxi

Ice sports flourished during the Qing Dynasty, particularly under the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735–1796). From 1742 until the emperor's death in 1799, ice sports events were held nearly every year. Initially a military parade on ice, bingxi evolved into a public spectacle featuring soldiers showcasing their ice-skating skills. Over 1,600 soldiers participated annually, wielding traditional weapons like broadswords and cudgels.

Bingxi events included modern elements like speed and figure skating, as well as ice soccer, archery, acrobatics, martial arts and ice wrestling.

A bingxi painting in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing vividly depicts ice sports. Skaters, each with their unique poses and techniques, form a giant dragon as they glide in a serpentine formation, creating a spectacular display.

Ice trailer [Photo/Official Weibo account of Palace Museum in Beijing]

Ice trailer

During the Ming Dynasty, ice beds became a popular form of entertainment, enjoyed by both the imperial court and the common people.

The royal ice bed used in the Forbidden City was very luxurious and majestic, surrounded by yellow satin on all sides, resembling a sedan chair with doors and windows. The ice bed was enclosed by thick felt blankets, and inside was a soft sable seat for comfort. Beneath the ice bed was a compartment containing a charcoal stove, turning it into a warm, lavish resting place despite the freezing surroundings.

During harsh winters when river transportation was halted due to ice, burlaks in Beijing sought to make a living by creating simpler ice beds for the public. These beds, about the size of a single bed, were encircled by curtains or umbrellas and could accommodate two to three people. Wealthy youth and literati often hired these ice beds to enjoy the winter scenery, gliding across the frozen rivers in comfort.