On the 12th, the 10th China·Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival kicked off in the Jingpohu Lake Scenic Area of Mudanjiang. The millennium-old tradition of winter fishing at Jingpohu Lake heated up this cold season, once again presenting visitors with a festive carnival and ice-snow spectacle.

On January 12, the 10th Ice Fishing Festival of Jingpohu, China kicked off at the Jingpohu Lake scenic spot in Mudanjiang. (Photo provided by Mudanjiang Jingpohu Lake Tourism Group Co., Ltd.)

That morning, the frozen Jingpohu, smooth as a mirror, buzzed with excitement as performances like dragon dances, lion dances, and Manchu yangko heated up the atmosphere. At 10:58, the ancient, melodious outdoor immersive live-action show "The Tribute Road of the Bohai Legend" kicked off the millennium-old grand winter fishing event at Jingpohu. Scenes from the Bohai Kingdom's tribute winter fishing during the Tang Dynasty were vividly reenacted—ritual ceremonies, fishermen harvesting tributes, fish selection, sending sons to serve, and embarking on the tribute journey—bringing to life the rich regional history and millennia-old fishing and hunting folk traditions.

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

"Casting nets to fish, heave-ho, heave-ho, catching lake crucian carps, heave-ho, heave-ho..." Accompanied by the fishermen's resonant and powerful chants, the net-winding reel slowly turned, as the "first net of fish in the New Year" at Jingpohu Lake broke through the ice. The lively fish leaped and danced in the nets, while hundreds of tourists eagerly watched the harvest scene, capturing the spectacular sight of "fish leaping in the icy river" with their phones, their faces filled with wonder and joy.

The "first fish" of Jingpohu, symbolizing good luck and fortune, has always been a coveted "prize" among tourists. On-site visitors unanimously remarked that experiencing the ancient fishing culture here, while admiring the winter charm of Jingpohu Lake and savoring delicious fish soup, made the trip truly worthwhile. "The moment the fish were caught and emerged from the water was spectacular. The fish leaping out of the lake signifies auspiciousness and happiness, symbolizing hopes for a prosperous start to the new year—abundance and good fortune," said Mr. Sun, a tourist from Liaoning.

Tourists hold the "first fish" of Jingpohu, a symbol of 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 (approximately 430 tons) in a single net. It has not only earned the title of "National Model Fishery Cultural Festival" but also revitalized related industries by tapping into traditional cultural roots, fostering a more eco-friendly fishery model and promoting the sustainable development of the fishing industry.

The spectacle of fish leaping from icy lakes has heated up the ice-snow economy, breathing new life into ancient fishing and hunting traditions. In recent years, Mudanjiang City has adhered to the "ice-snow+" concept to promote integrated and embedded development of winter tourism and ice fishing production. By further exploring the cultural essence of ice-snow fishing, enriching the full spectrum of ice-snow tourism products, and refining premium ice-fishing travel routes, the city has transformed its winter fishing season activities into a signature brand. Through activities like watching ice fishing, appreciating folk customs, enjoying winter sports, and savoring local cuisine, Mudanjiang showcases its unique culture and drives the growth of ice-snow tourism.

The 10th Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival in China was hosted by the CPC Mudanjiang Municipal Committee and the Mudanjiang Municipal People's Government, and organized by the Heilongjiang Jingpohu Lake Management Committee, Mudanjiang Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, and Tourism, Mudanjiang Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mudanjiang Agricultural and Tourism Investment Service Co., Ltd., and Mudanjiang Jingpohu Lake Tourism Group Co., Ltd.Tang Fenglai, Bao Yinghan (Reporter Jiang Hui)