Jingpo Lake Winter Secret Realm Guide

On the volcanic lake frozen for thousands of miles, some dare to jump into the extreme cold of minus 30°C｜A full reveal of Jingpo Lake’s winter wonders

Have you ever seen a waterfall—
not rushing down, but frozen into a 30-meter-high crystal giant tower,
glowing deep blue, like an ancient ice dragon perched on a cliff?

Have you ever seen a group of bare-chested men—
beating drums and shouting in the minus 30°C cold wind,
then leaping boldly,
diving into a black water pool embraced by ice,
splashing not just waves,
but the boiling bloodline of a thousand-year-old fishing and hunting civilization?

This is not an extreme challenge show,
but the real ice waterfall diving and winter fishing festival
that takes place every winter at China’s largest high-mountain lava dam lake—
Jingpo Lake.

Hidden deep in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang,
it is, besides Lake Baikal,
the most overlooked “Northern Ice and Snow Secret Realm.”

“Jingpo Lake · Extreme Winter Tour Plan”
📍 Depart from Harbin/Mudanjiang → 3-hour direct bus to the lake area → Ice and snow plank road hiking → Check in at Jingpo Grand Canyon Ice Waterfall → Watch the “Ice Waterfall Diving” show (daily at 10:30/13:30) → Participate in the winter fishing ceremony in the afternoon → Freshly caught iron pot fish feast → Return by evening
📅 Best viewing period: January to mid-February｜⏰ Recommended full-day itinerary｜💰 Tickets about 100 RMB, package including transportation + activities about 380 RMB
🎯 Theme: See how nature seals the raging waves, and how humans break the ice with passion

Why is it called the “Eye of the Northern Ice Soul”?

Because this is not an ordinary lake,
but a natural wonder created by volcanic eruptions 10,000 years ago,
now frozen in winter with ice layers up to 1.5 meters thick,
yet it cannot hide the wildness and vitality deep beneath the earth.

🌊 Ice Waterfall Wonder｜Time freezes the raging waves
▫️ The Diaoshuilou Waterfall in Jingpo Grand Canyon completely freezes in winter, forming a rare “stacked ice pyramid”
▫️ The ice is semi-transparent and deep blue; sunlight shining through creates colorful patterns like church stained glass
▫️ Ice caves, ice curtains, and icicles intertwine, resembling the Wall of the North in “Game of Thrones”

A geologist said: “This is not simple freezing,
but a three-month-long battle between flowing water and severe cold,
ultimately forming a ‘visible epic of cold.’”

🔥 Ice Waterfall Diving｜An ancient human tribute to limits
✔️ A national intangible cultural heritage with a century-old tradition
✔️ Divers are mostly local winter swimming association members, aged 40-70
✔️ Bare-chested, wearing only shorts, they leap from a 6-meter-high platform into an ice hole, the whole process under 15 seconds

The drumbeats thunder on site, the crowd holds their breath—
some divers’ faces flush red instantly after jumping,
yet they smile and raise their fists: “The feeling of being alive is truly wonderful!”

This is not a show,
but measuring the power of heaven and earth with the body, responding to nature’s stillness with courage.

🐟 Jingpo Lake Winter Fishing｜A more primitive fishing and hunting ritual than Chagan Lake
✔️ Using the traditional Manchu “ice drilling + kilometer-long net” method
✔️ Each net can catch tens of thousands of pounds of wild fish: carp, crucian carp, bream, and white amur
✔️ Thousands watch the net opening moment, and the “first fish auction” symbolizes a lucky and abundant harvest

The most moving scene:
At the old leader’s command,
a hundred people pull the net across the ice,
like a black dragon winding across the white land.
When the first silver-scaled big fish breaks the ice,
the crowd cheers thunderously—it is the victory horn of life conquering silence.

Beyond the shock, these details make it a “bone-deep” experience:

🍲 Freshly caught and stewed｜The warmest taste of Northeast China
After winter fishing, three large iron pots are set up on site
Fresh fish go straight into the pot, with sauerkraut, tofu, and vermicelli
A bowl of hot soup warms you from the stomach to your fingertips

📸 Top photography spots recommended
📷 Low-angle front shot of the ice waterfall: emphasizes the imposing ice tower
📷 Continuous shots of the diving moment: capture splashing ice crystals and human contrast
📷 Long-scroll composition of winter fishing: shows the epic “people pulling the big net”
📷 Night bonfire on the ice: orange light reflecting on snow, like an ancient tribal celebration

🌲 Hidden activities unlocked
Explore inside the ice waterfall’s “ice caves,” listen to dripping echoes
Learn ice drilling skills, carve your own “ice eye”
Collect the “ice bubbles” wonder: blue star bubbles formed by frozen methane at the lake bottom (visible if lucky)

Why is this called a “severely underestimated cultural wonder”?

Because most people only know to admire the scenery,
but don’t realize—
▫️ Ice waterfall diving originates from shamanistic rituals, a reverence and dialogue with nature
▫️ Winter fishing inherits the Manchu “fishing and hunting culture” survival wisdom
▫️ Every ice break is proof of human perseverance in extreme cold

A documentary director said:
“I have filmed the aurora in the Arctic,
recorded reindeer migration in Siberia,
but when I saw an old man kneel and kowtow after diving into the ice water at Jingpo Lake,
I understood for the first time what ‘living towards death’ means.”

This is not tourism,
but a pilgrimage about courage, heritage, and vitality.

Practical tips (life-saving + photo guide):
🧣 Dressing key: windproof jacket is a must! The lakeside wind is strong, recommend ear protection hat + scarf
🧤 Gloves should be flexible for taking photos and eating
📱 Phone running low? Heat packs + portable chargers are essential
🚫 Notes:
Do not approach ice surfaces without marked safe zones
Keep distance when photographing diving to avoid ice chips injury
Winter fish can be purchased vacuum-packed to take home, authentic souvenirs

Finally, a golden quote:

“The world is busy melting winter with technology,
here we choose to dance with the cold;
when everyone else is hiding from the cold,
someone must jump into the ice lake,
telling the earth:
We are still here, the fire has never gone out.”