In the heart of Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, winter transforms the landscape into a wonderland of ice and snow, bustling with youthful energy and sporting enthusiasm. Despite the bitter cold, winter in Xinjiang marks a season of celebration and high spirits, especially in the realm of winter sports and cultural festivals.
One of the highlights of the season is the Ice and Snow Culture Tourism Festival, held at the Toutun River Valley Forest Park in Urumqi City. This festival, part of Xinjiang’s 3rd Ice and Snow Culture Tourism Festival, attracted a large number of students on its opening day. Despite the chilly -22C temperatures, young participants eagerly engaged in various activities, including snow sleds, snow go-karts, and snow trains. The snow slide, in particular, was a hit among students, who lined up with snow tubes to experience the thrill of gliding down snowy slopes.
The festival integrates traditional culture, intangible cultural heritage, the culture of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), and food culture, offering a diverse range of activities. Ma Jing, Deputy Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of the 12th Division of the XPCC, highlighted the festival’s impact, driving over 64.386 million yuan ($9 million) in consumption last year and providing residents with an immersive cultural experience.
Xinjiang’s long winter also presents unique opportunities for developing ice and snow sports. Schools in the region offer specialized sports programs, such as ice-snow football at the Toutun River Farm School. Ding Yafang, the school’s head, shared that ice-snow football has been a tradition at the school for many years. The sport is played by students as young as first and second graders, emphasizing endurance and resilience.
The sport is adapted to the icy conditions, with matches involving five players, a departure from regular football. Despite the cold, the students’ passion for the sport is evident. Li Deyong, a PE teacher at the school, shared his experience guiding students in snow football matches, highlighting their enthusiasm and competitive spirit.
In addition to ice-snow football, speed skating is another popular winter sport in Xinjiang. At the 103rd Regiment School in Wujiaqu City, students like Che Xueqin, captain of the school’s speed skating team, dream of becoming professional athletes and competing in the Olympics. The school’s makeshift speed skating track, created manually by teachers, is a testament to the students’ dedication and the community’s support for their aspirations.
Ye Yongjiang, a speed skating coach and former member of the school’s team, now trains young athletes, nurturing their passion for speed and competition. He has witnessed generations of students embracing the challenge of speed skating, undeterred by the lack of facilities.
Xinjiang’s winter sports scene is a vibrant tapestry of cultural festivities, ice football, speed skating, and more, where the cold weather fosters a unique sporting spirit among its youth. The region’s commitment to winter sports and the enthusiasm of its young athletes reflect a deep connection to the season, transforming the harsh winter into a time of joy, competition, and cultural celebration.
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