People purchase the fish caught during the winter fishing event, Jan 1. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

A winter fishing event officially kicked off in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Jan 1, according to local media reports.

The winter fishing festival has been held in the banner annually since 2019, luring tourists from home and abroad with the promise of fresh fish.

The sense that the fishing nets are cast in the hope for a better life, the primitive fishing and hunting culture, and the spectacular scenery of the winter grasslands have become the driving force for many people to travel long distances to watch the spectacle.

People involved in the activity can witness the whole process of winter fishing, including making a hole in the ice, casting a net, and hauling the catch back in.

Winter fishing is a representative project of a national intangible cultural heritage. 

Fish caught during the winter fishing event in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, Jan 1 [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

Historically, various northern ethnic groups thrived in the region, farming, pasturing and hunting. Cultural exchanges and fusions between regions and ethnic groups have formed a tradition of winter fishing with distinctive regional cultural characteristics.

From offering sacrifices to the lake to bless traditional fishing and hunting operations, to the Mongolian costumes displayed during winter fishing, cultural performances, and the first fish auctions, the event contains extremely rich and profound ethnic cultural elements.

This silver carp, weighing 28 kg, is the first fish caught during the winter fishing on Jan 1. It was finally sold for 6,666 yuan. ($1,032.56) [Photo/Baotou Evening News]