While a number of more modern events have been added for next month’s Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, winter sports fans in Beijing have had the opportunity to enjoy a sporting festival from further back in history. The Chinese capital’s Summer Palace has been staging “ice plays” from the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). /VCG Photo

Ice plays included skating challenges, as well as archery and handball, all on ice. /VCG Photo

Performers wore ancient imperial warrior costumes for the events on the frozen Kunming Lake. /VCG Photo

Held inside the imperial palace and among the public, ice plays were military drills as well as entertainment. /VCG Photo