The 7th Hulunbuir Grassland Winter Heroes Festival kicks off in the Hailaar district of Hulunbuir city on Dec 25. [Photo/Hulunbuir Release]

The 7th Hulunbuir Grassland Winter Heroes Festival, part of the 11th National Public Ice and Snow Season, launched on Dec 25 in the Hailaar district of Hulunbuir city.

First established in 2018, the Winter Heroes Festival has become a hallmark of Hulunbuir's winter tourism.

This year's event features two national A-level competitions – the National Ice and Snow Auto Race and the National Snowmobile Championship – and other unique activities such as the Ice and Snow Vehicle King Ranking Challenge, International Winter Swimming Day, and themed performances.

Two vehicles demonstrate highly skilled driving on the snow-covered land during the 7th Hulunbuir Grassland Winter Heroes Festival. [Photo/Hulunbuir Release]

New additions to the festival include car dance shows and snow soccer matches, complementing established events like the Hulunbuir Snowmobile Grand Prix, the 2024 China Auto Rally Championship (Ice and Snow), and the China-Russia-Mongolia Winter Swimming Invitational.

These activities aim to enrich cultural and tourism experiences while bolstering the festival's brand as an iconic ice and snow event.

This year has drawn approximately 200 racers from nearly 20 provinces and autonomous regions, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. The number of participants and geographical coverage set new records for the event.

Motorcycle enthusiasts compete on the snow track during the 7th Hulunbuir Grassland Winter Heroes Festival. [Photo/Hulunbuir Release]