China News Service, Mudanjiang, January 12 (By Tang Fenglai, Bao Yinghan, Reporter Jiang Hui) On the 12th, the 10th China·Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival kicked off at the Jingpohu Lake scenic area in Mudanjiang. The millennium-old tradition of winter fishing at Jingpohu Lake heated up the cold winter, once again presenting visitors with a festive carnival and ice-snow extravaganza.

On January 12, the 10th Winter Fishing Festival kicked off at Jingpohu Lake scenic spot in Mudanjiang City. Photo courtesy of Mudanjiang Jingpohu Lake Tourism Group Co., Ltd.

That morning, the frozen Mirror Lake was bustling with activity as performances like dragon and lion dances, and Manchu yangko heated up the atmosphere. At 10:58, the outdoor immersive live-action show "The Legend of Bohai: The Tribute Journey," with its ancient charm, kicked off the millennium-old grand winter fishing event at Mirror Lake. The tribute scenes from the Bohai Kingdom era of the Tang Dynasty—such as the sacrificial ceremony, fishermen harvesting tributes, fish selection, sending sons as attendants, and setting off to pay tribute—were vividly reenacted, immersing visitors in the rich regional history and the millennia-old fishing and hunting folk culture.

Amid the fishermen's powerful and sonorous chants, the "first net of fish of the new year" broke through the ice at Jingpohu. Photo by Jiang Hui

"Cast the net, heave-ho, heave-ho; catch the lake crucian, heave-ho, heave-ho..." Accompanied by the fishermen's powerful and resonant work chant, the net-turning wheel slowly rotated, breaking the ice to reveal Jingpohu's "first net of fish in the new year." The lively fish leaped joyously in the net as hundreds of tourists eagerly watched the spectacle, capturing the breathtaking scene of "fish leaping in the frozen river" on their phones, their faces brimming with surprise and delight.

The "first fish" of Jingpohu, symbolizing good luck and fortune, has always been a coveted "prize" among tourists. Visitors on-site unanimously agreed that experiencing the ancient fishing culture while admiring the winter charm of Jingpohu, along with tasting the delicious fish soup, made the trip truly worthwhile. "The moment the fish are caught and emerge from the water is spectacular. The sight of fish leaping from the lake symbolizes auspiciousness and prosperity, representing hopes for a great start to the new year—full of vitality and abundance," said Mr. Sun, a tourist from Liaoning.

Tourists hold the "first fish" of Jingpohu, symbolizing good luck and fortune. Photo by Jiang Hui

The fishing and hunting culture of Jingpohu Lake dates back to the Tang Dynasty, flourished during the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and has been passed down for over a thousand years. The world-renowned Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival has been successfully held nine times, once setting a winter fishing record of 860,000 jin in a single net. It has not only earned the brand of "National Model Fishery Cultural Festival" but also revitalized related industries by tapping into traditional cultural roots, achieving a more eco-friendly fishery model and the healthy development of the fishery industry.

The spectacle of fish leaping from icy lakes has ignited the winter economy, breathing new life into ancient fishing traditions. In recent years, Mudanjiang City has embraced the "ice and snow+" concept to integrate winter tourism with ice fishing production, delving deeper into the cultural essence of ice fishing. By expanding the range of winter tourism offerings and refining premium ice fishing travel routes, the city has created a winter fishing season experience featuring ice fishing viewings, folk culture appreciation, snow activities, and culinary delights. This initiative has established the winter fishing season as a signature cultural brand that boosts Mudanjiang’s distinctive charm and drives the growth of winter tourism.

The 10th China·Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival is hosted by the CPC Mudanjiang Municipal Committee and the Mudanjiang Municipal People's Government, and organized by the Heilongjiang Jingpohu Lake Management Committee, Mudanjiang Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism, Mudanjiang Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mudanjiang Agricultural and Tourism Investment Service Co., Ltd., and Mudanjiang Jingpohu Lake Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (End)