Against the snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang's Tianchi Lake transformed into a winter wonderland this Lunar New Year, drawing thousands to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a fusion of tradition and adventure. The 2026 festivities, held from February 8 to 14, featured adrenaline-pumping ice dragon boat races where teams from across the Chinese mainland competed on the frozen lake's mirror-like surface.
Visitors marveled at the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage Elegance' showcase, where performers blended Sichuan opera face-changing techniques with ice skating choreography—a first for the region. Families carved memories through ice sculpture workshops and horse-drawn sleigh rides, while local artisans demonstrated Uygur embroidery alongside Kazakh eagle dance traditions.
The event's highlight saw over 200 participants join a cross-generational relay race, symbolizing unity in diversity. 'This celebration shows how winter sports can bridge cultures,' remarked attendee Aynur Memet, who traveled from Kashgar. With nightfall, the lake illuminated with LED-lit ice installations, creating ethereal backdrops for Spring Festival photography.
Organizers reported a 40% increase in visitors compared to 2025's event, attributing the surge to improved transportation links and global interest in China's northwestern tourism offerings. Winners of competitive events received vouchers redeemable at local homestays and cultural experience centers, boosting community-led tourism initiatives.
