Winter fishing in Heilongjiang

Xingkai Lake, Jixi, Heilongjiang province

Xingkai Lake, or Khanka Lake, is located on the border of Russia and China's Heilongjiang province and covers an area of 4,300 square kilometers. The lake, a member of UNESCO's World Network of World Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), provides important support for the region's ecosystem. It is also an ideal place to take part in winter fishing.

Fishermen work on the frozen lake. [Photo/VCG]

Rich in fish resources, the lake begins to freeze every December and becomes completely frozen within 10 to15 days. The ice was 0.9 meters thick from late February to early March, and the thaw starts during mid-to-late April.

There are 65 species of fish in six orders, 12 families, among which the most famous ones are white fish and white shrimp. White fish, listed as one of the four famous freshwater fish in China, is a specialty of Xingkai Lake, with tender meat and a fresh taste. As one of the main aquaculture bases in Heilongjiang province, the lake also boasts spotted silver carp, mandarin fish, abalone, crucian, and lake shrimp.

Address: Mishan, Jixi, Heilongjiang province

Opening hours: 7:00 –17:00

Ticket price: 40 yuan ($5.93)

Ideal sightseeing season: End of December