Most part of the Chagan Lake lies within Songyuan City in Jilin Province. As one of China's best-known freshwater lakes, Chagan Lake is rich in aquatic resources and is home to 68 fish species, including bighead carp, carp, grass carp, and crucian carp. The lake still preserves one of the most ancient fishing methods practiced by northern ethnic groups in China. In 2008, the custom of Chagan Lake winter fishing was inscribed on the Representative Items List of State-level Intangible Cultural Heritage Items.

The golden period for Chagan Lake winter fishing is from late December to the Spring Festival of the following year. Centered on this tradition, the local Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Culture Tourism Festival not only preserves classic rituals such as the "Lake-Waking Ceremony" and the "First-Fish Auction", but also offers more than 20 themed experiences including snow sports, folk activities and a full-fish banquet as well as over 40 winter attractions such as skating, snowmobiles and ice fishing, drawing large numbers of visitors.

And of course, fishing means eating fish! Visitors can enjoy the Chagan Lake whole fish banquet at nearby rural guesthouses, featuring dishes prepared in many ways — iron-pot stewed, steamed, braised, in soup, pan-fried, or even sashimi — each delicious in its own style.

Recommended Place to Visit

Chagan Lake Scenic Area

The Chagan Lake Scenic Area is located in Qian Gorlos Mongolian Autonomous County, Songyuan City, Jilin Province, and is rated as a national 5A tourist attraction. The area includes sites such as the Gorlos Prince's Residence Exhibition Hall and the Fishing and Hunting Culture Museum. In winter, visitors can take in the magnificent scenery of "a thousand miles of frozen lake and drifting snow", enjoy the thrill of ice-and-snow activities, and experience the spectacular sight known as "fish leaping from the ice lake".