Winter in Jilin offers more than snow, rime, and ice lanterns. It is also home to the majestic tradition of winter fishing, with major fishing sites such as Da'an Moon Lake, Zhenlai Haluonao, and Taonan Sihai Pao, as well as many scattered small lakes and marshes. Together, they form a spectacular "winter fishing economic belt" with diverse local characteristics. Visitors from across China and abroad flock here to witness a millennium-old fishing tradition.

The Chagan Lake Winter Fishing tradition refers to the ice-fishing practices on Chagan Lake during winter in Qian Gorlos Mongol Autonomous County, Songyuan, Jilin Province. With roots dating back to the Liao and Jin dynasties, this winter fishing has long been renowned. Rituals like lake worship, net preparation, ice drilling, and net casting culminate in tens of thousands of catties of fresh fish emerging from beneath the ice, highlighting unique ethnic cultural features.

Chagan Lake winter fishing

Baicheng, a city with a thousand-year history, is blessed with excellent natural ecology that nurtures high-quality ingredients and delicious flavors. In Baicheng, visitors can enjoy pastoral scenery, admire the grandeur of the grasslands, watch red-crowned cranes dance over wetlands, and explore beautiful rivers and lakes. They can also savor seasonal fruits bursting with fragrance and sample unique local dishes packed with fresh, robust flavors.

We look forward to welcoming you to Changchun, Songyuan, and Baicheng for a winter journey of culinary discovery.

Jilin Winter Food Journey · RouteStops

Changchun City (Chunfa snow-coated red bean paste, Xiangyangtun Northeastern cuisine) → Tram Line 54 Cultural Tourism Train → Ice and Snow New World → Lianhuashan Ski Resort → Songyuan City → Chagan Lake Fishing and Hunting Culture Museum → Chagan Lake Winter Fishing (whole-fish feast, Mongolian cuisine) → Faya Village Commercial Street (buckwheat noodles) → Balin Mongolian Restaurant (hand-pulled mutton) → Baicheng City (lamb soup, steamed donkey dumplings) → Xianghai Wetland → Baicheng History Museum

Jilin Winter Food Journey · Representative Dishes

Snow-coated red bean paste, barbecue, whole roast lamb, Chagan Lake whole-fish feast, buckwheat noodles (buckwheat heluo), hand-held mutton, steamed white fish, steamed donkey dumplings, and Xianghai salted duck eggs

Snow-coated red bean paste

Whole roast lamb

Hand-held mutton rib

Jilin Winter Food Journey · Featured Events

Vasa International Ski Festival, Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing & Hunting Culture Tourism Festival, "Play with Ice in Baicheng" Ice and Snow Tourism Season, and Liao and Jin Culture Tourism Season