Chagan Lake (China)


Chagan Lake is a lake in Jilin, China. The name "Chagan" is from Mongolian, meaning white / pure lake. It is often referred to as the Sacred Lake or Holy Water Lake by local people. The lake is known for its traditional winter fishing, featuring a technique which dates back to prehistoric times.

Chagan Naoer Winter Fishing Tradition

Chagan Lake is the only place in which the oldest of Mongolian fishing methods is preserved. It is listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China.
The annual Winter Fishing Festival is held to keep this ancient tradition alive. Fishermen first drill many holes through the thick ice and then use these holes to carefully position a 2km net under the ice. The net and its catch is then hauled out of the largest hole by means of a capstan turned by Mongolian horses. The Lake set a Guinness World Record of a single net that yielded fish in 2006, and broke its own record with of fish in 2009. The principal species thus netted is the Bighead carp - a popular food fish, particularly at the Chinese New Year, when the consumption of fish is considered to bring good fortune in the year to come.