On the northern shore of Bosten Lake — China’s largest inland freshwater lake — the county of Hoxud in Bayingol (Bazhou) turns its lakeside Golden Beach (Jinshatan) resort into a vast frozen playground every winter. When the lake ice sets, the sand beach of summer becomes a sheet of glass for dragon boats, hotpot and family snow games. Hoxud is not a downhill ski destination, but for travelers exploring the Korla region it is one of the most surprising, budget-friendly winter stops in southern Xinjiang.
Why Visit Hoxud in Winter
Hoxud sits on the ring of Bosten Lake, about an hour’s drive from Korla. The Wuyu Expressway’s full opening cut the Urumqi–Korla drive from seven hours to roughly three and a half, pulling Hoxud into Urumqi’s “golden tourism circle” and supercharging its winter scene. The county has leaned into an all-season strategy built around the Jinshatan resort and the nearby Malan Red Mountain Military Museum, blending lake ice, red-study tourism and ecology into one easy loop.
- A huge natural ice sheet on Bosten Lake, safe for skating, cycling and team games.
- Dozens of low-cost activities suited to every age group.
- A strong “ice + food” culture — ice hotpot and ice fishing are the headline draws.
- Easy access from Korla, making it a natural add-on to a Xinjiang ski resorts road trip.
The 2026 “Hot Snow Hoxud” Snow Carnival
Hoxud’s flagship winter event is the second “Hot Snow Hoxud · Ignite the Golden Sands” Snow Carnival, built around a “snow + sport + food + folklore” formula. It rolled out more than thirty categories of ice-and-snow entertainment, a 400-square-meter beach warm house, and linked routes around Bosten Lake with red-study and ecology tours plus ticket-and-lodging discounts. Local reports credit the New Year holiday with drawing over 30,000 visitor trips and putting the “Meritorious Malan · Colorful Hoxud” brand firmly on the winter map. A third edition of the ice dragon-boat race and a long-run ice-and-sand carnival (mid-February into mid-March) keep the season busy.
Lake-Ice Sports at Jinshatan
The frozen beach hosts a rotating menu of gentle, high-fun activities:
- Ice dragon boats — the third-edition race pits teams in straight-line and relay sprints on the ice.
- Ice hotpot — a bubbling pot set right on the frozen lake, the signature “fire-and-ice” experience.
- Ice fishing — drill a hole, drop a line, and the Bosten Lake whitefish often bite.
- Ice bumper cars, snow sledges & snow spinners — classic carnival rides adapted to the ice.
- Ice tops, ice bikes & ice bowling — free or low-cost games for all ages.
Malan Red Mountain Military Museum
Away from the ice, Hoxud’s other anchor is the Malan Red Mountain Military Museum, tied to the historic Malan base. It is a compact, patriotic red-tourism stop that pairs well with the lighthearted snow games — a morning of history, an afternoon of ice. The county explicitly markets the two together as part of its all-season, whole-region tourism push. Exhibits trace the base’s Cold-War-era story through photographs, equipment and restored rooms, and most visits take under two hours, leaving plenty of daylight for the lake. For families, it adds an educational counterweight to a day of pure play, and for domestic travelers it rounds out the “meritorious Malan” identity the region is proud to share.
Getting to Hoxud & Bosten Lake
The Jinshatan Golden Beach resort lies in Wushitala township, Hoxud county, on the lake’s northern shore. From Korla it is roughly an hour by car; from Urumqi the new expressway makes a same-day round trip realistic. Winters are cold and the lake wind bites, so pack windproof shells, gloves and warm boots. The resort runs daily daytime hours through the carnival season, with evening bonfires and fireworks on weekend and holiday nights.
Where to Ski Nearby
Hoxud’s lake is for skating and snow play, not downhill skiing. For real slopes, the closest purpose-built resorts are covered in our Korla ski resorts guide and the broader where to ski in Xinjiang overview. Use Hoxud as the relaxed, family day between ski blocks — skate in the morning, hotpot at noon, bonfire at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bosten Lake safe to walk on in winter?
During the carnival season the resort marks and maintains safe ice zones for skating, cycling and games. Stick to the designated areas and follow on-site staff — never venture onto unmarked wild ice.
What is the Hoxud Snow Carnival?
It is the county’s winter festival at Jinshatan, mixing thirty-plus ice sports, folk shows, ice hotpot and red-tourism routes. The 2026 edition drew tens of thousands of visitors over the New Year holiday.
When is the best time to visit?
Mid-December through early March, when the lake is frozen and the carnival runs. Our best time to ski Xinjiang guide covers the wider regional window.
How do I get to Jinshatan from Korla?
Drive or hire a car about an hour north to Wushitala township on Bosten Lake’s shore. The new Wuyu Expressway also makes Hoxud reachable from Urumqi in a long day trip.
Is Hoxud good for families?
Very. Most activities are gentle, low-cost and all-ages — ice bikes, snow spinners, fishing and hotpot — with a warm beach house for breaks, plus the nearby Malan museum for a history angle.
Pairing Hoxud with Korla & the Southern Route
Hoxud makes an easy day or overnight from Korla, the regional hub of Bayingol. From there you can extend south toward the Taklamakan’s edge or west toward the Loulan and silk-road heritage that defines the southern Xinjiang loop. Because the new expressway links Korla into Urumqi’s tourism circle, many travelers now combine a Korla city stop, a Bosten Lake ice day at Jinshatan, and a ski block at a nearby resort into a single relaxed week. Our Xinjiang ski resorts overview maps the slopes that pair best with a Hoxud lakeside rest day.
Local Flavors Beyond the Hotpot
The ice hotpot gets the headlines, but Hoxud’s lakeside table has more to offer. Bosten Lake whitefish is the star — firm, mild and superb either poached in the hotpot broth or dry-fried with chili and cumin as a big-plate dish. Around the resort you will also find grilled lake carp, hand-pulled noodles with roasted garlic, and the ubiquitous Xinjiang lamb skewers to refuel after skating. Warm up between activities with milk tea or the sweet raisin-and-nut pastries sold at the carnival stalls. It is honest, filling food at small-town prices, which is exactly why families keep coming back through the long winter season.
Practical Tips for a Lake-Ice Visit
- Dress for wind. The lake surface has no shelter; a windproof shell, gloves and a warm hat are mandatory.
- Mind the ice edges. Always stay inside the marked carnival zones and follow staff instructions.
- Book the warm house. The 400 m² beach warm house fills up on weekends — arrive early or visit midweek.
- Try the fish. Bosten Lake whitefish, cooked in the ice hotpot or as a big-plate dish, is the local signature.
- Catch the bonfire nights. Weekend and holiday evenings add fireworks and bonfires — the best atmosphere of the season.