Prolonged chill makes region a hotbed for ski resorts, ice and snow festivals

A snowboarder hits the slopes at the Silk Road Mountain Resort in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Dec 19, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)

As night falls in Tekes county in Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Jiugongcheng Park transforms into a fantastic ice and snow world, with its traditional folk street, parade of decorated floats and boutique guesthouses attracting numerous visitors. With winter sports gaining momentum across China, Xinjiang is leveraging its prolonged winter, high-quality snow and diverse terrains to establish top-notch ski resorts.

Two major ice and snow tourism belts have emerged along the Tianshan and Altay mountain ranges, and Xinjiang currently boasts 188 ice and snow venues, including 101 ski resorts.

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Two skiers play with snow at the Tianshan Heaven Lake International Ski Resort in Fukang, Xinjiang, on Dec 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The Keketuohai International Ski Resort in Altay prefecture offers a snow season lasting more than 200 days, making it a paradise for many skiers. A traditional folk event, the Winter Harvest Festival, is in full swing in Fuyun county, Altay, featuring exciting traditional ethnic sports such as "sheep dragging on snow", which elicits cheers from onlookers.

For several consecutive years, Xinjiang has hosted various ice and snow festivals such as the Urumqi Silk Road Ice and Snow Festival, the Winter Fishing Festival at Lake Ulungur, and the Ice and Snow Festival in Bohu county. These events further integrate ice and snow tourism with folk culture, enriching the variety of winter tourism activities.

Two people go for a ride on a snowmobile in the Tianshan Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Urumqi on Dec 20, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)

Visitors enjoy swimming at the Silk Road Mountain Resort on Dec 19, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)

Skiers enjoy dumplings for free at the Tianshan Heaven Lake International Ski Resort on Dec 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Villagers compete in a tug-of-war during a folk festival held in Mulei county, Xinjiang, on Dec 21, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Local residents stage a folk dance to welcome visitors at the Silk Road Mountain Resort on Dec 19, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)

A chef cooks pilaf for visitors at the Silk Road Mountain Resort on Dec 19, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)

Kazak herders participate in the traditional game of "scrambling for a sheep" at a scenic area in Xinyuan county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang, on Dec 22, 2023. (WANG JING / CHINA DAILY)