Xinjiang’s Tianshan Tianchi Lake transformed into a winter wonderland this Lunar New Year, hosting a vibrant ice festival to celebrate the Year of the Horse 🐎. Visitors from across China and beyond gathered for folk performances, heart-pounding ice dragon boat races, and a mesmerizing fusion of Sichuan opera face-changing acts with ice skating – a first-of-its-kind “Intangible Cultural Heritage Elegance” show. ❄️🎭
Families snapped selfies against snow-capped peaks while kids zoomed across ice slides, their laughter echoing through the frosty air. Winners of the dragon boat races scored discount vouchers for local treats, adding a sweet twist to the competition. 🏆🍬
The event, blending Uygur traditions with modern winter sports, became a symbol of cross-cultural joy during this year’s Spring Festival. As one visitor put it: “Where else can you watch opera masks twirl on ice while racing dragon boats? This is Xinjiang’s magic!” 🌏✨
