Amazing aerial footage shows 100,000 people at China's ice fishing festival
Video: This year, a 4,000 square metre market has been set up on the ice of Chagan lake
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aerial footage from China shows nearly 100,000 people descend on Chagan Lake to buy fish, a symbol of a prosperous new year in the country.
Chagan Lake is situated in northeastern China's Jilin province and hosts an annual fish festival that last two months and usually harvests over 1 million kilos of fish.
The festival begins on December 28 and sees members of China's Mongolian ethnic group catch fish using a centuries-old technique: in temperatures of minus 22 degrees Celsius, they cut into the ice of the lake and place a net underneath in order to catch fish such as carp.
The first fish caught is considered auspicious and is auctioned off: this year, the first catch went for a record 370,000 Chinese Yuan, roughly £38,000.
Chagan Lake covers an area of nearly 500 square kilometres and is the only place left in China to witness traditional Mongolian ice fishing.
This year, for the first time, a market has been set up on the ice to handle demand and there is now increased cooperation with online firms to sell the fish caught on Chagan Lake.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments