Ancient China's historic bond with ice and snow

Throughout history, China has maintained a deep connection with ice and snow. Beyond simply enduring the harsh cold winter conditions, the Chinese people have learned to harness, appreciate and enjoy the challenges of the season.

As the 9th Asian Winter Games unfold in Harbin, let's take a journey through ancient China's ice and snow activities and explore the enduring winter traditions that have thrived for millennia.

Skiing

An ancient cave painting discovered in Altay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, depicts human figures sliding on small platforms over slopes while herding animals. Historians estimate the painting to be between 5,000 and 10,000 years old, solidifying Altay's status as the "the ancient cradle of skiing".

In ancient China, skiing emerged as the earliest winter sport, later giving rise to ice skating. Northern fishing and hunting tribes referred to their winter skiing tools as "wooden horses", which were categorized into two types: Pedals – gliding tools used on snow, which eventually evolved into skis; and another that could glide on ice, which later evolved into ice skates.

According to historical records, Yu the Great, the legendary king known for taming prehistoric floods, traveled extensively across varied terrain. When encountering muddy terrain, he used a sled-shaped boat—short, with slightly upturned ends, allowing him to bend one leg and propel forward. Over time, this basic design was adapted and refined, eventually transforming into a key tool for ice and snow travel—the sled.