Vibrant winter sports spirit sweeps over Hulunbuir

A man throws water into the air in Hulunbuir city, but it immediately turns into ice in the cold weather. [Photo/Grassland Media]

Two ice and snow sports experience events were held in the vast snowfields of Hulunbuir, one of the venues of the 14th National Winter Games, on Feb 19 and 21.

The events were jointly organized by the 14th National Winter Games Hulunbuir Executive Committee and the publicity department of the CPC Hulunbuir municipal committee.

Under the theme "Embrace the Splendor of Winter Sports in Hulunbuir", the events invited media reporters and visitors from across the country to partake in ice and snow sports and immerse themselves in local folk customs.

Despite the bone-chilling temperatures that neared -30 degrees, participants engaged in football matches, snowball fights, snow tubing, traditional Mongolian wrestling, and even experienced camel-pulled sled rides.

Snowball fights are fierce in Hulunbuir city. [Photo/Grassland Media]

Inside the traditional Mongolian yurts, attendees sat by warm stoves, sipping milk tea while being serenaded by the enchanting melodies of changdiao (long tune), throat singing, and the horsehead fiddle.

The rich and distinctive intangible cultural performances allowed everyone to experience the charm of Inner Mongolian culture.

"This is my first time in Hulunbuir, my first experience with ice and snow sports, and my first time hearing throat singing – it's absolutely fantastic and so much fun," exclaimed Nong Zhi, a journalist from the Guangxi Daily.

Leveraging the platform of the 14th National Winter Games, Hulunbuir has also organized basketball tournaments, hiking competitions, and fitness challenges, all of which have ignited a wave of national fitness enthusiasm.

Traditional Mongolian music performance is staged in a yurt. [Photo/Grassland Media]