Nearly 700 winter sports enthusiasts braved the frost at Xiaoling River Ice Rink this week, marking the successful launch of Liaoning's first Public Ice Cart Open. Participants raced handcrafted carts across Jinzhou's frozen landscape, reviving nostalgic childhood games through competitive single- and double-blade categories.
The event exemplifies China's strategic push to develop ice-snow economies, particularly in northeastern regions rich in winter resources. Local organizers emphasize affordable participation costs (under ¥50 per cart) to encourage grassroots engagement while stimulating tourism and small business activity during traditionally slow winter months.
"This isn't just about sports – it's cultural preservation meeting economic innovation," noted event coordinator Zhang Wei, as food stalls and traditional craft vendors reported triple their average January sales. Provincial authorities confirm plans to expand similar initiatives across Liaoning through 2026, aligning with national winter sports development goals.
