Imagine waking up early in the morning, the air is crisp, and everything around you is covered in snow and ice. This is the scene at Ulungur Lake in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China. But instead of staying cozy indoors, fishermen like Zhang Haijiang are gearing up for an adventure!
Zhang is an ice fisher who has been mastering this ancient art since he was 17 years old. He learned it from his father, following a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Every winter, he and his team brave the freezing temperatures to fish on the frozen lake.
How do they do it? They use big picks to break through the thick ice. Then, they cast out huge nets that are over a thousand meters long! 🎣 Can you imagine how big that is? That’s like the length of ten football fields!
As the sun rises, a special horn sounds across the frozen lake. It’s a signal that the nets are being pulled up. Slowly, the nets emerge from the icy water, filled with shiny, slippery fish jumping in the morning light. It’s an amazing sight!
But it’s not just about fishing. Each year, tens of thousands of people come to Fuhai County to see this incredible event. They gather to watch the fishermen at work, and to celebrate this age-old tradition. Visitors can warm up with hot fish and lamb stew, which is super tasty and perfect for a cold day. 🍲
This winter festival has become a big celebration, mixing ancient wisdom with modern fun. It helps to keep the tradition alive and shares it with people from all over the world.
So next time you feel the chill of winter, think about the brave fishermen of Ulungur Lake, and the exciting adventures waiting out there in the snow! ❄️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
