A mysterious and splendid Mongolian-Khitay ritual was held on the frozen surface of Chaganhu Lake, Qian Gorlos Mongol autonomous county, Jilin province, on Dec 28, which opened the Changan Lake Winter Fishing Season, an annually held folk feast in Northeast China.

Visitors gather at Chagan Lake and await the beginning of the ritual ceremony for winter fishing. [Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]

Empires in the Liao (916-1125) and Jin dynasties (1115-1234) used to visit the county for hunting and fishing because of its rich aquatic products, and now the place is called "the last fishing and hunting tribe in North China". It is also the place where winter fishing is held every year even in contemporary times.

The opening ceremony of the fishing activity is a sacrificial activity integrating folk customs, religions, and culture, attracting visitors from all parts of China every year.

Leader of the fishermen chants to worship heaven, the land, and Chagan Lake. [Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]