China News Network, Mudanjiang, January 15 (by Zhang Shuyong, Zhao Yuhang, reporter Jiang Hui) — The millennia-old, mysterious fishing and hunting culture, including rituals like "Lake Worship," "Net Awakening," and "Harvest Celebration," was showcased once again, with the spectacular scene of silver carp and koi leaping from Jingpohu Lake reappearing... On the 15th, the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & Ninth International Winter Fishing Festival," themed "A Millennial Legacy · Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," kicked off at the "Fantasy Ice Lake Zone" of the resort dock in Jingpohu Lake Scenic Area. Visitors from across the country gathered to partake in this grand and unique winter fishing cultural feast.

On January 15, the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & The 9th International Winter Fishing Festival" kicked off at the Jingpohu Lake scenic area. Photo by Zhao Yuhang

Jingpohu Lake is the world's largest volcanic lava-dammed lake, boasting excellent ecology and abundant aquatic resources, along with a long-standing fishing and hunting culture and winter fishing tradition. Recorded winter fishing dates back to the Tang Dynasty and gained fame during the Liao and Jin periods. A single net once caught a winter fishing record of 860,000 jin. The Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival has been designated as a national exemplary fishery cultural festival brand by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Ten major economic fish species in Jingpohu, including silver carp and carp, have obtained national organic food certification. The bighead carp and redtail fish from Jingpohu Lake have been awarded the National Geographical Indication Product by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and have also received the title of Heilongjiang Province's Top Ten Local Specialty Fish.

The winter fishing activity this time harvested 128,000 kilograms of lake fish in the first net.

During this winter fishing event, the first net caught 128,000 kilograms of lake fish. Photo by Zhao Yuhang

Mudanjiang City upholds tradition and innovation to host the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Dream World & the 9th International Winter Fishing Festival," a key component of Heilongjiang's "Hundred-Day Action" for winter ice and snow tourism, aimed at developing the province's ice and snow economy and promoting the full industrial chain of ice and snow tourism. The festival will further invigorate Mudanjiang's winter tourism, strengthen the cold-water fish industry, and vigorously advance the high-quality development of the city's ice and snow economy.

Tourists taste delicious fish soup on site. Photo courtesy of Mudanjiang Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department

On the event day, activities such as the launch ceremony of the Heilongjiang main venue for "Colorful Study Tours Across China—Special Study Tourism Theme Day" and "Into the Snowy Forest—Ice and Snow Study Tourism Theme Event," visits to the Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Dream World, as well as lake fish displays and stewed fish tasting sessions were held. Guests and tourists at the scene not only witnessed the spectacular winter fishing, the wondrous ice and snow culture of the northern regions, and a variety of ice-based recreational activities but also experienced the cold-water fish cuisine culture, satisfying both their visual and culinary senses while uplifting their spirits.

According to reports, Mudanjiang City governs three major water systems: the Mudan River, Muling River, and Suifen River, with 520,000 mu of aquaculture water surface. Among them, the Ning'an Zuixin Lake area is the largest high-quality cold water resource surface in Heilongjiang Province, highly suitable for cold-water fish growth, and boasts superior conditions for cold-water fish farming. In 2023, the aquaculture area in Mudanjiang City reached 320,000 mu, with an annual aquatic product output of nearly 21,000 tons and a total fishery economy revenue of 480 million yuan.

The winter fishing festival kicked off with daily performances from the 15th until the end of February at Jingpohu, leveraging its unique ice and snow resources and ecological fishing advantages. Activities such as ice fishing experiences and hotpot gatherings were introduced, creating a lively daytime scene with fishermen and fish in action, while starry skies and light displays illuminated the nights—further celebrating the enduring culture of winter fishing. (End)