Winter in the Boertala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture unfolds like an ice-and-snow painting that blends the delicate elegance of the Jiangnan region with the majestic grandeur of the northern frontiers. Here, you'll encounter both the refined, romantic beauty of frozen lakes and the bold, uninhibited celebrations on snowy plains. From the pink sunsets over Sayram Lake to a full lineup of ice and snow festivals and sporting events across the prefecture, the season offers a journey that seamlessly brings together nature, culture, and adventure.

Sayram Lake Scenic Area

Time: November 2025 – March 2026

Featured event: 2025 Xinjiang Fun Skiing Festival cum the 9th Boertala Sayram Lake "Encounter Sayram: Rendezvous with the Blue Ice" Ice & Snow Tourism Season Carnival

Location: Sayram Lake International Ski Resort

Activities: Take on ski slopes of varying difficulty, including the Alpine Trail, 1314 Trail, and Sayram Lake Main Trail; enjoy hot drinks and specialty light meals at the summit lake-view café, with exclusive discounts available for couples and families.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Swan Haven

Activities: Watch distinctive outdoor wedding ceremonies and book private wedding photography services to capture romantic moments amid the winter scenery.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Ice Bubble Zone

Activities: Hike the blue ice route featuring 10 themed photo spots and visit the Sayram Lake Blue Ice Photography Exhibition.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Sandao Wan (Three Bays)

Activities: Get a close-up view of the ice waterfall and capture its beauty in photos.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Songshu Tou (Pine Top)

Activities: Create mini snow sculptures; try DIY twig-made hearts and "snow stamp" lying-in-snow experiences; learn to make traditional treats such as candied haws on a stick and sugar paintings.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Sayram Town

Activities: Admire roadside trees and landscape installations; visit the tourist center for intangible cultural heritage markets and performances.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Jinhua Zihui (Golden Flowers and Purple Plants)

Activities: Enjoy snowmobile rides, snow UTVs, snow tubing, and other snow activities; try GoPro filming services, specialty catering, horseback riding, and more; have fun sledding on mountain slides with varying gradients.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Bird Lake Mouth

Activities: Watch performances such as "Standing Steed in Snow" and "Horse Parade," and experience nomadic culture on horseback.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · West Sea Grassland

Activities: Build snowmen and have snowball fights; visit the "Frozen Throne" ice sculpture.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Moon Bay

Activities: View large-scale ice and snow sculptures themed around the Year of the Horse; play and take photos on the snowy hills.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Hundred Grasses Beach

Activities: Join ice and snow carnival activities and take part in the snow mountain photography competition.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Santai Grassland

Activities: Take part in the "Snowfield Fashion Show," set against snow-capped mountains and a grassland stage, blending fashion with the natural scenery of Sayram Lake.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · North Gate

Activities: View horse-themed paintings, sculptures, and photography; explore horse-related folk culture and learn about the types, functions, and craftsmanship of harnesses at the Horse Culture Exhibition area.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Dianjiang Tai (General's Platform)

Activities: At the Glacier Music Theater, with Melody in the Glacier as the core program, enjoy live performances by local musicians playing traditional instruments such as the Kazakh Dombra and the Mongolian Morin khuur (horse-head fiddle).

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Kele Yongzhu (Hot Spring)

Activities: Interact with swans and visit the 99-meter Love Corridor to soak in its romantic atmosphere.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Swan Haven

Activities: Observe snowflake-shaped ice waterfalls up close; enjoy ice slides, ice skating, ice sleds, ice biking, spinning tops on ice, and other winter activities; take on the "Hero's Pot" Hiking Contest.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Santai Ancient Post

Activities: At the Sayram Flavor Mill, take part in making traditional Xinjiang foods; sample local snacks and classic delicacies in the market area; admire snow lanterns inspired by ice and snow themes.

Location: Sayram Lake Scenic Area · Waterside Beach

Activities: Admire ice art; at the "Frozen Rose Garden," enjoy the romantic sight of "roses preserved in blue ice."

Bole City

1. Bole City Rural Ice and Snow Cultural Tourism Series Events

Time: December 2025 – February 2026

Location: townships under Bole city

Activities: Participate inrural ice and snow cultural tourism events highlighting folk traditions, along with New Year's Eve galas, ice and snow lantern fairs, horse racing, and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and performances.

2. The 4th Snow Soccer Invitational Tournament

Time: December20–21, 2025

Location: Bole City Civic Stadium

3. Youth (Middle-aged & Senior) Speed Skating Competition

Time: December 28, 2025

Location: Qinghe Ice Rink, Bole 

Alashankou City

1. "Gallop Through Winter, Stride Nonstop" Winter Long-Distance Running Race

Time: December 30–31, 2025

Location: "Figure-8" Lake, Alashankou  

2. "Tempering Teams, Creating the Future Together" Fun Ice and Snow Games

Time: January 10–15, 2026

Location: "Figure-8" Lake, Alashankou  

3. "Dancing Snow: Ode to Boundary Tablets" Ice and Snow Culture Study Tour

Time: December 2025 – January 2026

Location: Alashankou City

4. The 2nd "Border Bazaar, Let's Get Hyped!" Ice and Snow New Year Shopping Fair

Time: February 2–4, 2026

Location: Alashankou Tourist Service Center

Activities: Stroll through the market to buy local specialty New Year goods and watch intangible cultural heritage performances; participate in fun interactive games.

5. The 4th "Passionate Ice and Snow, Igniting the Border City" Youth Soccer Tournament

Time: February 10–15, 2026

Location: All-Weather Sports Ground, Alashankou  

Jinghe County

1. The 4th Jinghe County Snowground Horse Racing Festival

Time: Late December 2025

Location: Jinghe County Racecourse

Activities: Watch horse races and enjoy traditional folk performances such as Kiz Kuu (Girl Chasing) and Buzkashi (Sheep Grabbing).

2. "Bid Farewell to the Old, Welcome the New" Winter Healthy Run

Time: December 2025

Location: Jinghe Riverside Scenic Area / South side of Ecological Park to Kangning Community Avenue

3. The 3rd Jinghe County Youth Ice Sports Promotion Competition

Time: February 2026

Location: Jinghe Riverside Scenic Area / South side of Ecological Park to Kangning Community Avenue

Wenquan County

1. The 2025–2026 Snow Season Opening Ceremony of Wenquan County Cross-Country Ski Resort

Time: November 29, 2025

Location: Wenquan County Cross-Country Ski Resort

Activities: Ski coaches present skill demonstrations for the season opening; enjoy first-ski benefits. A free experience zone will be available on-site, inviting visitors to share the joy of ice and snow sports.

2. Autonomous Region Cross-Country Skiing Winter Camp

Time: December 19–24, 2025

Location: Wenquan County Cross-Country Ski Resort

3. The 4th Leg Competition of 2025–2026 National Cross-Country Skiing Youth U Series

Time: December 24–29, 2025

Location: Wenquan County Cross-Country Ski Resort

4. Wenquan County 2025 Ice and Snow Winter Long-Distance Run

Time: December 31, 2025

Location: Wenquan County Wetland Park