Ice Fishing Festival at Chagan Lake, Songyuan

The winter ice fishing festival at Chagan Lake, in Qian Gorlos Mongol Autonomous County, Songyuan, Jilin Province, is a traditional Mongol fishing ceremony held on the frozen lake. Fishermen drill holes through thick ice and haul in large nets across the surface, drawing out catches of fish that are displayed on the ice and sold fresh at the venue. The ceremony is staged with ritual elements, including offerings to the lake, and visitors watch from designated ice viewing grounds. The activity is easy and needs no fitness or skill prerequisite beyond tolerance for severe cold and walking on prepared ice; children are welcome when well dressed, though the long wait outdoors can be tough for the very young. Entry costs about CNY 100-150, with fish meals and local snacks extra. Tickets are sold at the scenic-area gate and through Trip.com. The scenic-area management operates the festival and controls access to the ice; visitors should stay in the marked viewing zones, since only authorised work crews venture to the net area. Ice thickness is monitored, and the site has staff and first-aid support, although evacuation from the open lake is by vehicle and relies on staff direction. Temperatures regularly fall below -25 C in the early morning, so thick down clothing, insulated boots, hats, gloves and hand warmers are essential; visitors should also carry an ID card. The main festival runs from late December to January, with the net hauls usually taking place in the morning, and the wider season stretches to February. Photography is welcome, but phone batteries drain quickly in the cold, so spare batteries help. The exact schedule and ceremonial dates vary by year and are announced by the scenic area, so checking ahead is wise.