The magnificent scene of Chagan Lake winter fishing showcases the unique charm of traditional fishing culture in northern China
Chagan Lake, known as "Chagan Nur" in Mongolian, meaning "white sacred lake," is located in Qian Gorlos Mongolian Autonomous County, Songyuan City, Jilin Province. It is one of China's top ten freshwater lakes and the largest inland lake in Jilin Province. With a water area of 420 square kilometers and a storage capacity of about 700 million cubic meters, Chagan Lake is an important wetland ecosystem in Northeast China.
Chagan Lake is not only famous for its beautiful natural scenery but also for its thousand-year-old winter fishing culture. Originating during the Liao and Jin dynasties, Chagan Lake winter fishing is a unique fishing method in northern China, known as "a living fossil of northern fishing culture." In 2008, Chagan Lake winter fishing was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.
Every winter, when the ice on the lake reaches a thickness of more than 1 meter, Chagan Lake welcomes its annual winter fishing season. On the snow-covered ice, fishermen dressed in traditional clothing use thousand-year-old techniques to conduct a harmonious dialogue between humans and nature. The most famous "Ice Lake Fish Dance" scene of Chagan Lake winter fishing is one of the most distinctive winter tourist attractions in northern China.
The Chagan Lake Winter Fishing Site is the best place to experience this ancient fishing culture. Every late December, a grand "Sacrifice to the Lake and Awakening of the Net" ceremony is held at Chagan Lake, which is an important traditional custom before the start of winter fishing, full of mysterious shamanic cultural elements.
At the winter fishing site, visitors can witness the entire process of fishermen drilling holes, setting nets, and pulling nets on the ice. The spectacular scene of thousands of fresh fish leaping out of the ice holes as the kilometer-long net is slowly pulled out of the ice is truly breathtaking. This震撼人心的 "Ice Lake Fish Dance" landscape is the most charming moment of Chagan Lake winter fishing.
Located in the Chagan Lake tourist area, Miaoyin Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. It is an important Buddhist sacred site on the Horqin Grassland. The temple architecture combines Mongolian, Tibetan, and Han styles, with a magnificent and solemn atmosphere.
The temple houses many Buddha statues and is bustling with worshippers. It attracts a large number of believers and tourists every year. In winter, Miaoyin Temple is covered in snow, adding a touch of mystery and holiness to its atmosphere.
Genghis Khan Memorial is a tourist attraction built to commemorate the great Genghis Khan, located on the shores of Chagan Lake. The scenic area features magnificent Genghis Khan statues, Suluut altars, and Mongolian yurt groups, showcasing the history, culture, and ethnic customs of the Mongolian people.
In winter, the Genghis Khan Memorial appears even more solemn and majestic against the backdrop of white snow. Visitors can learn about Mongolian history and culture here and experience the heroic spirit of the grassland people.
Chagan Lake Ice and Snow World is an important part of winter tourism at Chagan Lake. An ice and snow festival is held here every winter, featuring exquisite ice and snow sculptures and exciting ice and snow entertainment projects, making it a great place for winter entertainment.
At the Ice and Snow World, visitors can admire various ice sculptures of different shapes, experience ice skating, skiing, ice motorcycles, and other winter sports, and taste authentic Mongolian cuisine, enjoying a fun-filled winter vacation.
Chagan Lake winter fishing is an ancient and mysterious fishing culture that embodies the Mongolian people's reverence and gratitude towards nature. This unique fishing method is not only a survival skill but also a cultural heritage.
The history of Chagan Lake winter fishing can be traced back to the Liao and Jin dynasties. Historical records show that Liao emperors held "spring hunting" activities at Chagan Lake, which included winter fishing. During the Qing Dynasty, Chagan Lake winter fishing became an important source of royal tribute, with a large amount of fresh fish being presented to the imperial court every year.
Over thousands of years, the techniques and customs of Chagan Lake winter fishing have been passed down through oral instruction and practical demonstration, forming a complete set of traditional procedures and rituals. Today, Chagan Lake winter fishing has become one of the most representative intangible cultural heritages in northern China.
Chagan Lake winter fishing is not just a fishing method but also a cultural phenomenon. It embodies the Mongolian people's ecological philosophy of "harmony between humans and nature" and demonstrates the survival wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In Chagan Lake winter fishing, we can see reverence for nature, respect for life, and adherence to traditions.
Today, Chagan Lake winter fishing has become an important tourism brand of Jilin Province, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Through the inheritance and development of winter fishing culture, not only has this precious intangible cultural heritage been protected, but it has also promoted the development of the local economy and cultural exchange.
Chagan Lake Bighead Carp is one of the most famous specialties of Chagan Lake, known for its tender meat and delicious taste. Due to the excellent water quality of Chagan Lake, the bighead carp grown in the lake has no muddy smell and is extremely nutritious, making it a rare delicacy.
In restaurants around Chagan Lake, visitors can taste bighead carp prepared in various ways, such as clear stewed bighead carp, fish head with pancakes, and iron pot stewed fish. Among them, clear stewed bighead carp best showcases the natural flavor of the fish, with a milky white soup and tender meat, making it an unmissable delicacy.
Mongolian Hand-Held Meat is a traditional Mongolian dish that can also be tasted in authentic form in the Chagan Lake area. This dish uses fresh mutton, boiled in clear water, and eaten with special seasonings, resulting in a delicious and tender meat texture.
Hand-Held Meat not only tastes good but also has rich nutritional value. In the cold winter, eating a hot meal of Hand-Held Meat can keep you warm and allow you to experience traditional Mongolian cuisine, making it a rare experience.
Milk curd is a traditional Mongolian dairy product made from fermented cow's milk or sheep's milk. The milk curd in the Chagan Lake area has a delicate texture and rich flavor, making it a local specialty.
Milk curd can be eaten directly or used to make various dishes. In the Mongolian yurts around Chagan Lake, visitors can taste freshly made milk curd and experience authentic Mongolian dietary culture.
The Songyuan area has fertile land and abundant water resources, making it an important grain production area in Jilin Province. Songyuan rice has plump grains, fragrant rice, and a soft texture, making it a high-quality agricultural product of the region.
When traveling to Chagan Lake, visitors can purchase authentic Songyuan rice as a souvenir. Not only does Songyuan rice taste good, but it is also rich in various nutrients, making it an ideal choice for a healthy diet.
At Chagan Lake, visitors can not only watch the spectacular scene of winter fishing but also participate in various winter fishing-related experience activities to gain a deeper understanding of this ancient fishing culture.
The prices of Chagan Lake winter fishing experience projects vary depending on the project, time, and location, generally ranging from 100 to 500 yuan. Visitors can choose suitable experience projects according to their interests and budget.