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Xinjiang's 'Heavenly Horses' thunder through snow to greet New Year

China 16:32, 08-Feb-2026

CGTN

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Ili horses gallop through snow during the winter season, Zhaosu County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /CMG

A herd of Ili horses gallops across the snow-covered grasslands in Zhaosu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /CMG

Local herdsmen participate in a winter horse run, a major attraction for visitors to northwest China. /CMG

Herdsmen drive a group of Ili horses across the snowy plains of Zhaosu County. /CMG

Tourists watch and take photos from the sidelines as herdsmen drive horses across the winter landscape. /CMG

A man rides a horse in a horse field in Zhaosu County. /CGTN

As the winter unfolds, Xinjiang is embracing its season of ice and snow. Zhaosu County, situated in a high-altitude basin at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, has become a prime destination, showcasing its centuries-old equestrian heritage through its majestic Ili horses, known traditionally as "Heavenly Horses."

The sight of these massive herds kicking up plumes of powder against the landscape has become a centerpiece of the region's winter tourism, offering an authentic, cinematic look at the traditional lifestyle in northwest China.

Commonly referred to as the "Home of Heavenly Horses" in China, Zhaosu is the ancestral home of the Ili breed and boasts the largest population of these horses in the country. Standing an average of 148 centimeters tall and weighing over 400 kilograms, the Ili horse is valued for its strong, well-proportioned build and spirited yet gentle temperament.

Herds of horses dash through a river in Zhaosu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a local tradition known as "Heavenly Horses bathing in the river." /CMG

Water splashes as hundreds of horses dash across the river, Zhaosu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /CMG

Local herdsmen drive a herd of Ili horses through the waterways. /CMG

Horses graze and run through the green grasslands of Zhaosu during the summer season. /CMG

A herd of horses on the high-altitude basin at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in Zhaosu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /CMG

While the winter "snow runs" are the seasonal highlight, the county promotes year-round tourism. In the summer, the spectacle shifts to "Heavenly Horses bathing in the river," where the herds are seen wading in the waterways – a vibrant contrast to the stark, frozen beauty of the winter landscape.

By extending these cultural equestrian activities into the colder months, Zhaosu is integrating its ancient horse traditions with the growing demand for "ice and snow" travel. For many visitors traveling to this 2,000-meter-high plateau, witnessing the "Heavenly Horses" in motion is more than just a photo opportunity – it is an inspiring symbol of resilience and momentum for the year ahead.