Ice fishing traditions take center stage in Songyuan, Jilin

As the winter ice-and-snow season gathers pace, Songyuan City in northeast China's Jilin Province has launched a themed "Ice and Snow Plus" tourism program under the slogan "Enjoy Fishing, Come to Songyuan," introducing a range of creative winter experiences for visitors.

The season's centerpiece, the 24th Chagan Lake Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival, opened on Thursday, unveiling a specially curated day-to-night program. From dawn to late evening, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the fishing culture that defines Songyuan's winter identity.

Tourists can watch demonstrations of traditional ice fishing on the frozen lake and sample the famed Chagan Lake whole-fish banquet. Daytime activities such as ice slides and snowmobile rides add to the excitement, while evening programs feature cultural performances at the Longyu Tribe resort area and overnight stays in distinctive local homestays, offering a fresh and immersive take on winter fishing tourism.

An intangible cultural heritage market held during the festival is expected to further enrich the experience, showcasing the unique charm of northeast China through regional traditions, ice-and-snow folk customs and traditional craftsmanship.

This year, the Chagan Lake Ski Resort has been expanded to more than 30,000 square meters, adding skiing to the lineup of winter attractions alongside the iconic ice fishing spectacle. The Chagan Lake winter fishing season is set to continue through early March.