Residents skate on an ice rink in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. [Photo/people.com.cn]

Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has been promoting ice and snow sports, with the addition of 15 ice and snow pitches in the city, according to local media reports.

Officials from the municipal sports bureau said that most ice and snow fields in Hohhot are open for free, and residents are welcome to experience the different sports.

In recent years, athletes from Hohhot have achieved excellent results in winter events at home and abroad, further inspiring citizens to participate in various ice and snow sports.

The 2020 Hohhot Ice and Snow Sports Season opened on Dec 19, 2020.

The 40-day event, designed to widen participation in ice and snow sports, is primarily taking place on the Donghe Rink, with sub-venues set up at sites including Inner Mongolia Racecourse, Qingcheng Park, and Nanhu Wetland Park.

There will also be various interactive games and snow-based projects to boost residents' participation in ice and snow sports, such as ice-skating and ice hockey, as well as artistic performances.

The city's sports bureau has formulated detailed health and safety plans, large passenger flow emergency plans, COVID-19 prevention and control plans and ice and snow venue management manuals in advance, and these are being strictly implemented to ensure the safety of tourists and venues.

In addition, Hohhot city is soon to complete the Hohhot Comprehensive Gymnasium Ice Rink, which is a professional competitive ice rink currently under construction.