On the afternoon of January 15, the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & 9th International Winter Fishing Festival" with the theme of "A Millennium Legacy · Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" grandly opened at the "Fantasy Ice Lake Area" of the resort dock in Jingpohu Lake Scenic Area. Leaders from Heilongjiang Province and Mudanjiang City, distinguished guests from various sectors, and tourists from across the country gathered to participate in this grand and unique winter fishing and hunting cultural feast.

    To implement the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and ice and snow are also invaluable assets," Mudanjiang City has innovatively carried out the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & the 9th International Winter Fishing Festival" by blending tradition with creativity. This initiative is not only a key measure to implement the provincial government's efforts to revitalize the cold-water fishery industry but also an important platform to continuously showcase Heilongjiang's fishing and hunting culture and promote the "Heilongjiang Premium" brand. It is a vital component of Heilongjiang's "100-Day Action" for winter ice and snow tourism, aimed at developing the province's ice and snow economy and advancing the comprehensive development of the ice and snow tourism industry chain. The Winter Fishing Festival will further stimulate the vitality of winter tourism in Mudanjiang, strengthen the cold-water fish industry, and effectively drive the high-quality development of the city's ice and snow economy.

    During this event, the launch ceremony of the Heilongjiang main venue for "Colorful Study Tours Across China—Special Study Tour Theme Day" and "Into the Snowy Forests—Ice and Snow Study Tour Theme Activity" was held simultaneously. Activities such as visiting the Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World and showcasing lake fish were organized, along with a fish stew tasting event. On-site, guests and tourists not only witnessed the spectacular winter fishing, the unique ice and snow culture of the northern region, and a variety of ice-based recreational activities, but also experienced the culinary culture of cold-water fish. It was a feast for both the eyes and the palate, leaving everyone physically and mentally refreshed.

    After the opening of the winter fishing festival, to fully leverage the unique ice and snow resources and ecological fishery advantages, Jingpohu Lake has been hosting a daily winter fishing performance from January 15th to the end of February this year. Activities such as ice fishing experiences and hot pot gatherings around the stove have been introduced. At the same time, a landscape where daytime excitement blends with fish leaping and nighttime starry skies intertwine with light displays has been created, further promoting the long-standing winter fishing culture. The introduction of the fantastical Bohai Snow Castle, the magical volcanic ice valley, and the dreamy, dazzling ice lake has presented visitors with a rich ice and snow feast, fostering deeper integration of cultural tourism and fisheries and driving the high-quality development of Mudanjiang's ice and snow economy.

    It is reported that Mudanjiang City governs three major water systems: Mudan River, Muling River, and Suifen River, with 520,000 mu of aquaculture water surface. Among them, the Ning'an Zuanxin 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 city's aquaculture area reached 320,000 mu, with an aquatic product output of nearly 21,000 tons and a total fishery economic revenue of 480 million yuan.

    Jingpohu Lake is the world's largest volcanic lava barrier lake, boasting excellent ecology and abundant aquatic resources, as well as a long-standing fishing and hunting culture with a winter fishing tradition. Recorded winter fishing dates back to the Tang Dynasty and became renowned during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It once set a winter fishing record of 860,000 jin in a single net. 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. Jingpohu’s bighead carp and redtail fish have been awarded the national geographical indication product by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and have also been recognized as one of Heilongjiang Province’s Top Ten Local Specialty Fish.(Reporter Zhang Xiaolei)