Mingzhu Lake winter fishing festival opens, blending tradition with leisure

The Mingzhu Lake winter fishing festival has commenced, offering visitors a unique blend of traditional fishing culture, fresh culinary experiences, and leisurely lakeside pastimes until March 3, 2026.

The Mingzhu Lake winter fishing festival offers visitors a fishing culture experience. [Photo/WeChat account: shchongming]

The festival showcases captivating traditional fishing demonstrations on weekends and holiday mornings and afternoons. Visitors can also try their hand at organic fishing or traditional-style net fishing. For enthusiasts, the lake's international lure fishing base offers boat rentals.

Tourists wait to go fishing at Mingzhu Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: shchongming]

Freshly caught fish can be turned into immediate delicacies. Visitors can learn to make air-dried fish or enjoy rustic dishes like woodfire-cooked chicken and fish, or savory fish head soup prepared in open kitchens.

Traditional wheat straw printing. [Photo/WeChat account: shchongming]

Beyond fishing, the festival celebrates local culture. On weekends and holidays, visitors can participate in wheat straw painting workshops led by inheritors of the intangible cultural heritage, or craft soft, steaming Chongming rice cakes using carved wooden molds.

Steaming Chongming rice cakes. [Photo/WeChat account: shchongming]

For moments of tranquility, the lakeside cafe provides a cozy retreat with warm drinks and treats against a scenic winter backdrop. A market of fresh produce on the lakeside lawn adds to the vibrant, festive atmosphere.

The Mingzhu Lake winter fishing festival promises a delightful escape filled with authentic flavors, cultural discovery, and serene lakeside relaxation.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Chongming Media Center at "shchongming"