Winter Fishing and Ice Fishing Experience at Chagan Lake

Chagan Lake Scenic Area (查干湖旅游度假区) in Qian Gorlos Mongolian Autonomous County, Songyuan, Jilin Province, China, is known for its traditional winter net-fishing festival, a national intangible cultural heritage practice, and for ice fishing on the frozen lake. Fishermen cut holes in thick ice and haul large nets by horse-drawn winch in a ceremony that opened on 8 January in 2026, with the festival staged at Nabo Square. The lake is roughly 200 km north-west of Changchun by road, and Songyuan city is about 145 km from Changchun Railway Station, so most visitors treat it as a full-day trip or stay overnight nearby. The experience is largely spectating and light participation, so it suits families and travellers of any fitness level; the main requirement is tolerance for extreme cold, as temperatures regularly fall far below freezing and wind across the open ice is severe. No age limit was found in published listings. Equipment for ice fishing is supplied at organised experiences, but visitors should bring insulated boots with thick socks, a down jacket, thermal layers and a wind-proof outer shell, a fur hat, gloves and a face mask, plus hand warmers, and keep the phone in an inner pocket because cold drains batteries. Scenic-area entry and experience prices were not found in published listings and should be confirmed on Ctrip or Trip.com for the festival season. The scenic area is run by Chagan Lake scenic area management, with opening hours listed as 08:30 to 16:30 and last entry at 15:30. Safety depends on staying within the designated festival and viewing areas, as ice thickness and conditions are managed by the operators; visitors should not walk on the lake beyond marked zones, and medical needs would be handled through the county and Songyuan hospitals. The best period runs from late December to the Spring Festival, with the main event in January. Fishing scenes are often best in the morning, and crowds peak on weekends and holidays, so early arrival is advisable.